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Sheng MY, Peng DW, Peng HM, Zhang YL, Xiao L, Zhang MR, Wang SY, Zhao CP, Zhu SY, Lu JK, Lin L, Huang R, Nie J, Fang JB. Effective substances and molecular mechanisms guided by network pharmacology: An example study of Scrophulariae Radix treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid hormone-induced liver and kidney injuries. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 326:117965. [PMID: 38423410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Scrophulariae Radix (Xuanshen [XS]) has been used for several years to treat hyperthyroidism. However, its effective substances and pharmacological mechanisms in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid hormone-induced liver and kidney injuries have not yet been elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to explore the pharmacological material basis and potential mechanism of XS therapy for hyperthyroidism and thyroid hormone-induced liver and kidney injuries based on network pharmacology prediction and experimental validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on 31 in vivo XS compounds identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadruple exactive orbitrap high-resolution accurate-mass spectrometry (UPLC-QE-HRMS), a network pharmacology approach was used for mechanism prediction. Systematic networks were constructed to identify the potential molecular targets, biological processes (BP), and signaling pathways. A component-target-pathway network was established. Mice were administered levothyroxine sodium through gavage for 30 d and then treated with different doses of XS extract with or without propylthiouracil (PTU) for 30 d. Blood, liver, and kidney samples were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting. RESULTS A total of 31 prototypes, 60 Phase I metabolites, and 23 Phase II metabolites were tentatively identified in the plasma of rats following the oral administration of XS extract. Ninety-six potential common targets between the 31 in vivo compounds and the diseases were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that Bcl-2, BAD, JNK, p38, and ERK1/2 were the top targets. XS extract with or without PTU had the following effects: inhibition of T3/T4/fT3/fT4 caused by levothyroxine; increase of TSH levels in serum; restoration of thyroid structure; improvement of liver and kidney structure and function by elevating the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes catalase (CAT),superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); activation anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2; inhibition the apoptotic protein p-BAD; downregulation inflammation-related proteins p-ERK1/2, p-JNK, and p-p38; and inhibition of the aggregation of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as immune cells in the liver. CONCLUSION XS can be used to treat hyperthyroidism and liver and kidney injuries caused by thyroid hormones through its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. In addition, serum pharmacochemical analysis revealed that five active compounds, namely 4-methylcatechol, sugiol, eugenol, acetovanillone, and oleic acid, have diverse metabolic pathways in vivo and exhibit potential as effective therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yuan Sheng
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China; School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China; Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Wuhan, 430064, China; Department of Anatomy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - De-Wei Peng
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Hui-Ming Peng
- Department of Anatomy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Ya-Li Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China.
| | - Ling Xiao
- Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Wuhan, 430064, China.
| | - Meng-Ru Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Si-Yu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Chuan-Peng Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Si-Ying Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Jian-Kang Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Li Lin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061, Hubei, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Theory and Application Research of Liver and Kidney in Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.
| | - Jing Nie
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430065, China; Hubei Institute for Drug Control, Wuhan, 430064, China.
| | - Jin-Bo Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Tashkandi HM, Althagafy HS, Jaber FA, Alamri T, Al-Abbas NS, Shaer NA, Harakeh S, Hassanein EHM. Vinpocetine mitigates methotrexate-induced duodenal intoxication by modulating NF-κB, JAK1/STAT-3, and RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signals. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2024; 46:11-19. [PMID: 37493389 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2023.2239491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite agent widely used to manage a variety of tumors and autoimmune diseases. Nonetheless, MTX-induced intestinal intoxication is a serious adverse effect limiting its clinical utility. Inflammation and oxidative stress are possible mechanisms for MTX-induced intestinal toxicity. Vinpocetine (VNP) is a derivative of the alkaloid vincamine with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The current study investigated the protective intestinal impact of VNP in attenuating MTX-induced intestinal intoxication in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS VNP was administered orally in a dose of 20 mg/kg, while MTX was injected intraperitoneal in a dose of 20 mg/kg. RESULTS VNP administration attenuated drastic histological changes induced by MTX and preserved both normal villus and crypt histology. VNP significantly attenuated oxidative injury by upregulating intestinal Nrf2 and HO-1 expression. VNP attenuated inflammation by reducing MPO, NO2-, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels mediated by downregulating NF-κB, NDAPH-oxidase, IRF3, p-JAK-1, and p-STAT-3 expressions. Moreover, VNP potently counteracted intestinal necroptosis by effectively downregulating RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL, and caspase-8 proteins. CONCLUSION Therefore, VNP may represent a promising approach that can attenuate intestinal toxicity in patients receiving MTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa M Tashkandi
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan S Althagafy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima A Jaber
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Turki Alamri
- Family and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nouf S Al-Abbas
- Jamoum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nehad A Shaer
- Department of Chemistry, Al Lieth University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steve Harakeh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Yousef Abdul Lateef Jameel Chair of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
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Manavi MA, Fathian Nasab MH, Mohammad Jafari R, Dehpour AR. Mechanisms underlying dose-limiting toxicities of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. J Chemother 2024:1-31. [PMID: 38179685 DOI: 10.1080/1120009x.2023.2300217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) are severe adverse effects that define the maximum tolerated dose of a cancer drug. In addition to the specific mechanisms of each drug, common contributing factors include inflammation, apoptosis, ion imbalances, and tissue-specific enzyme deficiencies. Among various DLTs are bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity, vincristine-induced neurotoxicity, paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy, and irinotecan, which elicits severe diarrhea. Currently, specific treatments beyond dose reduction are lacking for most toxicities. Further research on cellular and molecular pathways is imperative to improve their management. This review synthesizes preclinical and clinical data on the pharmacological mechanisms underlying DLTs and explores possible treatment approaches. A comprehensive perspective reveals knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for future studies to develop more targeted strategies for mitigating these dose-dependent adverse effects. This could allow the safer administration of fully efficacious doses to maximize patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amin Manavi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Razieh Mohammad Jafari
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abdel-Reheim MA, Ali GF, Hassanein EHM, Mohamed WR. Role of Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin signals in the pathogenesis of methotrexate-induced testicular intoxication in rats and the protective effect of diacerein. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2023:10.1007/s00210-023-02876-w. [PMID: 38060042 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02876-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is an inhibitor of folic acid reductase used in managing a variety of malignancies. Testicular injury by MTX is one of its serious adverse effects. The current investigation aims to assess the protective effects of diacerein (DIA) on testicular injury by MTX and clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. Testicular injury in rats was induced by a single injection of 20 mg/kg body weight of MTX. DIA was given in 25 mg/kg body weight/day and 50 mg/kg body weight/day doses for 10 days. Compared to the MTX group, DIA attenuated testicular intoxication as evidenced by improvement of testicular histopathological abnormalities and increased serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone. DIA attenuated testicular oxidative stress changes by lowering testicular MDA and boosting GSH content and SOD activity. Moreover, administration of DIA attenuated MTX-induced testicular inflammation, as proved by decreased TNF-α and IL-6. At the molecular level, DIA induced significant upregulation in Nrf2, HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin protein expression. The present results proved that DIA, in a dose-dependent manner, exhibited notable amelioration of testicular toxicity induced by MTX through augmentation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects combined by upregulating Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Shaqra University, 11961, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Gaber F Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Wafaa R Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62514, Egypt.
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Althagafy HS, Sharawi ZW, Batawi AH, Almohaimeed HM, Al-Thubiani WS, Hassanein EHM, Rateb A. Buspirone attenuated methotrexate-induced hippocampal toxicity in rats by regulating Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, NF-κB/nNOS, and ROS/NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathways. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23414. [PMID: 37341015 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent widely used to treat a variety of tumors. Nonetheless, MTX-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity is a well-defined dose-limiting adverse effect that limits clinical utility. Proinflammatory cytokine production and oxidative stress are possible mechanisms for MTX-induced neurotoxicity. Buspirone (BSP), a partial agonist of the 5-HT1a receptor (5-HT1aR), has emerged as an anxiolytic drug. BSP has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The current study investigated BSP's potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in attenuating MTX-induced hippocampal toxicity. Rats received either BSP (1.5 mg/kg) orally for 10 days and MTX (20 mg/kg) i.p. on Day 5. BSP administration markedly protected hippocampal neurons from drastic degenerated neuronal changes induced by MTX. BSP significantly attenuated oxidative injury by downregulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 expression while potently elevating hippocampal Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor expression. BSP dampened inflammation by reducing NO2 - , tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and interleukin 1 beta levels mediated by downregulating NF-κB and neuronal nitric oxides synthase expression. Moreover, BSP potently counteracted hippocampal pyroptosis by downregulating NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved-caspase-1 proteins. Therefore, BSP may represent a promising approach to attenuate neurotoxicity in patients receiving MTX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan S Althagafy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zeina W Sharawi
- Department Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashwaq H Batawi
- Department Biological Science, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hailah M Almohaimeed
- Department of Basic Science, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wafa S Al-Thubiani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Amal Rateb
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Assuit University, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Basic Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arbia
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Hassanein EHM, Ali FEM, Sayed MM, Mahmoud AR, Jaber FA, Kotob MH, Abd-Elhamid TH. Umbelliferone potentiates intestinal protective effect of Lactobacillus Acidophilus against methotrexate-induced intestinal injury: Biochemical and histological study. Tissue Cell 2023; 82:102103. [PMID: 37178526 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal injury is a common adverse effect of methotrexate (MTX) therapy, limiting its clinical use. Despite oxidative stress and inflammation being the most embedded mechanism of injury, pharmacological agents that exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory impacts could prevent such toxicities. This study aimed to assess the enteroprotective effect of lactobacillus acidophilus (LB) and/or umbelliferone (UMB) against MTX-induced intestinal injury. Histologically, pretreatment with LB, UMB, or their combinations preserve the intestinal histological structure and mucin content with superior effect in combination therapy. In addition, oral pretreatment with UMB, LB, or their combinations significantly restored oxidant/antioxidant status, as evidenced by the upregulation of Nrf2, SOD3, HO-1, GSH, and GST levels concurrent with a decline in MDA contents. Besides, they suppressed the inflammatory burden by inhibiting STAT3, MPO, TLR4, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels. Moreover, LB, UMB, or their combinations significantly upregulated Wnt and β-catenin expression. Notably, pretreatment with the combination therapy is superior to monotherapy in protecting rats' small intestines from MTX-induced enteritis. In conclusion, combined pretreatment with LB and UMB could be a novel therapeutic regimen for conditions of intestinal injury induced by MTX via restoring oxidant/antioxidant balance and suppressing inflammatory burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut 71524, Egypt.
| | - Manal M Sayed
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Amany Refaat Mahmoud
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima A Jaber
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, P.O. Box 80327, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed H Kotob
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Tarek Hamdy Abd-Elhamid
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Aqaba Medical Sciences University, Aqaba 77110, Jordan
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Hassanein EHM, Bakr AG, El-Shoura EAM, Ahmed LK, Ali FEM. Acetovanillone augmented the cardioprotective effect of carvedilol against cadmium-induced heart injury via suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation signaling pathways. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5278. [PMID: 37002251 PMCID: PMC10066216 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31231-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac toxicity is a public health issue that can be caused by both environmental and occupational exposures. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of carvedilol (CV), Acetovanillone (ACET), and their combination for ameliorating cadmium (Cd)-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and necroptosis. Rats were assigned to; the normal group, Cd group (2 mg/kg; i.p., single dose), and the other three groups received orally CV (10 mg/kg), ACET (25 mg/kg), and CV plus ACET, respectively and a single dose of Cd. Oral administration of CV, ACET, and their combination significantly dampens cardiac oxidative injury by increasing antioxidants GSH and SOD levels, while it decreases MDA and NADPH oxidase levels mediated by decreasing cardiac abundance of Nrf2, HO-1, and SIRT1 and downregulating KEAP-1 and FOXO-3 levels. Also, they significantly attenuated inflammatory response as indicated by reducing MPO and NOx as well as proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 mediated by downregulating TLR4, iNOS, and NF-κB proteins expression as well as IκB upregulation. Moreover, they potently counteracted cardiac necroptosis by downregulating RIPK1, RIPK3, MLKL, and caspase-8 proteins expression. Of note, the combination of CV and ACET have marked protection that exceeded each drug alone. Conclusively, CV ad ACET potently mitigated Cd-induced cardiac intoxication by regulating NADPH oxidase, KEAP-1/Nrf2/HO-1, SIRT1/FOXO-3, TLR4/NF-κB/iNOS, and RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad H M Hassanein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Adel G Bakr
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Ehab A M El-Shoura
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt
| | - Lamiaa Khalaf Ahmed
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Fares E M Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, 71524, Egypt.
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Schmidt S, Messner CJ, Gaiser C, Hämmerli C, Suter-Dick L. Methotrexate-Induced Liver Injury Is Associated with Oxidative Stress, Impaired Mitochondrial Respiration, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315116. [PMID: 36499436 PMCID: PMC9735468 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-dose methotrexate (MTX) is a standard therapy for rheumatoid arthritis due to its low cost and efficacy. Despite these benefits, MTX has been reported to cause chronic drug-induced liver injury, namely liver fibrosis. The hallmark of liver fibrosis is excessive scarring of liver tissue, triggered by hepatocellular injury and subsequent activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, little is known about the precise mechanisms through which MTX causes hepatocellular damage and activates HSCs. Here, we investigated the mechanisms leading to hepatocyte injury in HepaRG and used immortalized stellate cells (hTERT-HSC) to elucidate the mechanisms leading to HSC activation by exposing mono- and co-cultures of HepaRG and hTERT-HSC to MTX. The results showed that at least two mechanisms are involved in MTX-induced toxicity in HepaRG: (i) oxidative stress through depletion of glutathione (GSH) and (ii) impairment of cellular respiration in a GSH-independent manner. Furthermore, we measured increased levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in activated HSC following MTX treatment. In conclusion, we established a human-relevant in vitro model to gain mechanistical insights into MTX-induced hepatotoxicity, linked oxidative stress in HepaRG to a GSH-dependent and -independent pathway, and hypothesize that not only oxidative stress in hepatocytes but also ER stress in HSCs contribute to MTX-induced activation of HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Schmidt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Jane Messner
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carine Gaiser
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Carina Hämmerli
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Laura Suter-Dick
- School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, 4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), 4055 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence:
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Aboubakr EM, Ibrahim ARN, Ali FEM, Mourad AAE, Ahmad AM, Hofni A. Fasudil Ameliorates Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity by Modulation of Redox-Sensitive Signals. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1436. [PMID: 36422565 PMCID: PMC9693476 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most widely used cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, and it is used in the treatment of different autoimmune disorders. However, the clinical applications of MTX are limited by its hepatic toxicity. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of fasudil (Rho-Kinase inhibitor) in the amelioration of MTX hepatotoxicity and the possible underlying mechanisms. Experimentally, 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were used and divided into four groups: control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p., single dose), fasudil (10 mg/kg/day i.p.) for one week, and fasudil plus MTX. It was found that MTX significantly induced hepatitis and hepatocellular damage, as shown by abnormal histological findings and liver dysfunction (ALT and AST), with up-regulation of the inflammatory mediators NF-κB-p65 and IL-1β. Moreover, MTX remarkably disrupted oxidant/antioxidant status, as evidenced by malondialdehyde (MDA) up-regulation associated with the depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, MTX reduced the hepatic expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). On the contrary, the i.p. administration of fasudil significantly ameliorated MTX hepatotoxicity by histopathological improvement, restoring oxidant/antioxidant balance, preventing hepatic inflammation, and improving the hepatic anti-apoptotic capability. Furthermore, fasudil hepatic concentration was determined for the first time using the validated RP-HPLC method. In conclusion, the present study revealed that fasudil has a reliable hepatoprotective effect against MTX hepatotoxicity with underlying antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. It also introduced a new method for the determination of fasudil hepatic tissue concentration using the RP-HPLC technique.
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