Mechanisms Underlying Antipsychotic-Induced NAFLD and Iron Dysregulation: A Multi-Omic Approach

Protective Effect of Selenium-enriched Peptide from Cardamine violifolia on Ethanol-induced L-02 Hepatocyte Injury

In this study, we investigated the protective effect of selenium (Se)-enriched peptide isolated from Cardamine violifolia (SPE) against ethanol-induced liver injury. Cell proliferation assays show that different concentrations of SPE protect human embryonic liver L-02 cells against ethanol-induced injury in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 12 μmol/L Se increases the cell survival rate (82.44%) and reduces the release of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and apoptosis rate. SPE treatment with 12 μmol/L Se effectively reduces the concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species and increases the contents of intracellular superoxide dismutase (51.64 U/mg), catalase (4.41 U/mg), glutathione peroxidase (1205.28 nmol/g), and glutathione (66.67 μmol/g), thereby inhibiting the effect of ethanol-induced oxidative damage. The results of the transcriptomic analysis show that the glutathione metabolism and apoptotic pathway play significant roles in the protection of L-02 hepatocytes by SPE. Real-time qPCR analysis shows that SPE increases the mRNA expression of GPX1 and NGFR. The results of this study highlight the protective effects of SPE against ethanol-induced liver injury.

[Ferritin as a biomarker of aging: geroprotective peptides of standardized human placental hydrolysate. A review]

Ferritin, an iron transport protein, is an acute phase protein of inflammation and oxidative stress (OS), a biomarker of cytolysis and ferroptosis. Inflammation, OS and iron overload are characteristic processes of the pathophysiology of aging. Human placental hydrolysates (HPHs) are promising hepatoprotective agents for anti-aging therapy. The goal of the team of authors was to systematize data on ferritin as a marker of aging and to identify peptides that counteract the aging pathophysiology, including through the regulation of iron and ferritin metabolism, in the HPH Laennec (manufactured by Japan Bioproducts). The results of basic and clinical studies confirm the above relationships and indicate that blood ferritin levels characterize the chronological and biological aging of the human body.

Causal relationships between neuropsychiatric disorders and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Increasing evidences suggest that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, whether there were causal associations between them remained vague. A causal association between neuropsychiatric disorders and NAFLD was investigated in this study.

METHODS

We assessed the published genome-wide association study summary statistics for NAFLD, seven mental disorder-related diseases and six central nervous system dysfunction-related diseases. The causal relationships were first assessed using two-sample and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR). Then, sensitivity analyses were performed, followed by a reverse MR analysis to determine whether reverse causality is possible. Finally, we performed replication analyses and combined the findings from the above studies.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis results showed NAFLD significantly increased the risk of anxiety disorders (OR = 1.016, 95% CI = 1.010-1.021, P value < 0.0001). In addition, major depressive disorder was the potential risk factor for NAFLD (OR = 1.233, 95% CI = 1.063-1.430, P value = 0.006). Multivariable MR analysis showed that the causal effect of major depressive disorder on NAFLD remained significant after considering body mass index, but the association disappeared after adjusting for the effect of waist circumference. Furthermore, other neuropsychiatric disorders and NAFLD were not found to be causally related.

CONCLUSIONS

These results implied causal relationships of NAFLD with anxiety disorders and Major Depressive Disorder. This study highlighted the need to recognize and understand the connection between neuropsychiatric disorders and NAFLD to prevent the development of related diseases.

Systematic analysis of the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and tissue iron overload: promising areas for the use of polypeptide therapy

Iron overload in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fairly common phenomenon that receives very little attention in clinical practice. However, iron overload, leading to hemosiderosis (deposition of “indigestible” nanodispersed iron oxides in various tissues) significantly aggravates NAFLD, stimulating increased chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and hemosiderosis of other organs. As a result, ferroptosis of hepatocytes occurs (apoptosis caused by iron overload and hemosiderosis), which accelerates the transformation of non-alcoholic steatosis into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and, subsequently, into liver cirrhosis. Iron overload is aggravated by micronutrient deficiencies and pathogenic intestinal microbiota. The paper presents the results of a systematic analysis of this issue, describes the prospects for therapy using micronutrients and human placenta hydrolysates (HPP), which contribute not only to the regeneration of liver tissue, but also to the normalization of iron homeostasis.

Iron as a therapeutic target in chronic liver disease

It was clearly realized more than 50 years ago that iron deposition in the liver may be a critical factor in the development and progression of liver disease. The recent clarification of ferroptosis as a specific form of regulated hepatocyte death different from apoptosis and the description of ferritinophagy as a specific variation of autophagy prompted detailed investigations on the association of iron and the liver. In this review, we will present a brief discussion of iron absorption and handling by the liver with emphasis on the role of liver macrophages and the significance of the iron regulators hepcidin, transferrin, and ferritin in iron homeostasis. The regulation of ferroptosis by endogenous and exogenous mod-ulators will be examined. Furthermore, the involvement of iron and ferroptosis in various liver diseases including alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B and C, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will be analyzed. Finally, experimental and clinical results following interventions to reduce iron deposition and the promising manipulation of ferroptosis will be presented. Most liver diseases will be benefited by ferroptosis inhibition using exogenous inhibitors with the notable exception of HCC, where induction of ferroptosis is the desired effect. Current evidence mostly stems from in vitro and in vivo experimental studies and the need for well-designed future clinical trials is warranted.

Prevalence and Influence Factors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Long-Term Hospitalized Patients with Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

Long-term hospitalized patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) are vulnerable to physical illness, leading to impaired life expectancy and treatment outcomes. There are few studies on the influence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in long-term hospitalized patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and influence factors for NAFLD in hospitalized patients with SCZ.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional retrospective study included 310 patients who had experienced long-term hospitalization for SCZ. NAFLD was diagnosed based on the results of abdominal ultrasonography. The T-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, correlation analysis, and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the influence factors for NAFLD.

RESULTS

Among the 310 patients who had experienced long-term hospitalization for SCZ, the prevalence of NAFLD was 54.84%. Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP), body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglycerides (TG), uric acid, blood glucose, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), high-density lipoprotein, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio significantly differed between the NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups (all P<0.05). Hypertension, diabetes, APP, BMI, TG, TC, AST, ApoB, ALT, and GGT were positively correlated with NAFLD (all P<0.05). The results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that APP, diabetes, BMI, ALT, and ApoB were the influence factors for NAFLD in patients with SCZ.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a high prevalence of NAFLD among patients hospitalized long-term due to severe SCZ symptoms. Moreover, a history of diabetes, APP, overweight/obese status, and increased levels of ALT and ApoB were identified as negative factors for NAFLD in these patients. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD in patients with SCZ and contribute to the development of novel targeted treatments.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and mental illness: Mechanisms linking mood, metabolism and medicines

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the world and one of the leading indications for liver transplantation. It is one of the many manifestations of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome as well as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There is growing evidence linking the incidence of NAFLD with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression mechanistically via genetic, metabolic, inflammatory and environmental factors including smoking and psychiatric medications. Indeed, patients prescribed antipsychotic medications, regardless of diagnosis, have higher incidence of NAFLD than population norms. The mechanistic pharmacology of antipsychotic-associated NAFLD is beginning to emerge. In this review, we aim to discuss the pathophysiology of NAFLD including its risk factors, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation as well as its intersection with psychiatric illnesses.