Omega-6-derived oxylipin changes in serum of patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases

Multi-omics approaches reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between Clonorchis sinensis and mouse liver

Introduction

Clonorchiasis remains a serious global public health problem, causing various hepatobiliary diseases. However, there is still a lack of overall understanding regarding the molecular events triggered by Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) in the liver.

Methods

BALB/c mouse models infected with C. sinensis for 5, 10, 15, and 20 weeks were constructed. Liver pathology staining and observation were conducted to evaluate histopathology. The levels of biochemical enzymes, blood routine indices, and cytokines in the blood were determined. Furthermore, alterations in the transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome of mouse livers infected for 5 weeks were analyzed using multi-omics techniques.

Results

The results of this study indicated that adult C. sinensis can cause hepatosplenomegaly and liver damage, with the most severe symptoms observed at 5 weeks post-infection. However, as the infection persisted, the Th2 immune response increased and symptoms were relieved. Multi-omics analysis of liver infected for 5 weeks identified 191, 402 and 232 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), proteins (DEPs) and metabolites (DEMs), respectively. Both DEGs and DEPs were significantly enriched in liver fibrosis-related pathways such as ECM-receptor interaction and cell adhesion molecules. Key molecules associated with liver fibrosis and inflammation (Cd34, Epcam, S100a6, Fhl2, Itgax, and Retnlg) were up-regulated at both the gene and protein levels. The top three metabolic pathways, namely purine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and ABC transporters, were associated with liver cirrhosis, fibrosis, and cholestasis, respectively. Furthermore, metabolites that can promote liver inflammation and fibrosis, such as LysoPC(P-16:0/0:0), 20-COOH-leukotriene E4, and 14,15-DiHETrE, were significantly up-regulated.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that the most severe symptoms in mice infected with C. sinensis occurred at 5 weeks post-infection. Moreover, multi-omics analysis uncovered predominant molecular events related to fibrosis changes in the liver. This study not only enhances our understanding of clonorchiasis progression but also provides valuable insights into the molecular-level interaction mechanism between C. sinensis and its host liver.

Lipid alternations in the plasma of COVID-19 patients with various clinical presentations

Background

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease that can manifest in various clinical presentations. Although many studies have reported the lipidomic signature of COVID-19, the molecular changes in asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected individuals remain elusive.

Methods

This study combined a comprehensive lipidomic analysis of 220 plasma samples from 166 subjects: 62 healthy controls, 16 asymptomatic infections, and 88 COVID-19 patients. We quantified 732 lipids separately in this cohort. We performed a difference analysis, validated with machine learning models, and also performed GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis using differential lipids from different control groups.

Results

We found 175 differentially expressed lipids associated with SASR-CoV-2 infection, disease severity, and viral persistence in patients with COVID-19. PC (O-20:1/20:1), PC (O-20:1/20:0), and PC (O-18:0/18:1) better distinguished asymptomatic infected individuals from normal individuals. Furthermore, some patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid by RT-PCR but did not become negative for a longer period of time (≥60 days, designated here as long-term nucleic acid test positive, LTNP), whereas other patients became negative for viral nucleic acid in a shorter period of time (≤45 days, designated as short-term nucleic acid test positive, STNP). We have found that TG (14:1/14:1/18:2) and FFA (4:0) were differentially expressed in LTNP and STNP.

Conclusion

In summary, the integration of lipid information can help us discover novel biomarkers to identify asymptomatic individuals and further deepen our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of COVID-19.

Metabolomics in viral hepatitis: advances and review

Viral hepatitis is a major worldwide public health issue, affecting hundreds of millions of people and causing substantial morbidity and mortality. The majority of the worldwide burden of viral hepatitis is caused by five biologically unrelated hepatotropic viruses: hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV). Metabolomics is an emerging technology that uses qualitative and quantitative analysis of easily accessible samples to provide information of the metabolic levels of biological systems and changes in metabolic and related regulatory pathways. Alterations in glucose, lipid, and amino acid levels are involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, and amino acid metabolism. These changes in metabolites and metabolic pathways are associated with the pathogenesis and medication mechanism of viral hepatitis and related diseases. Additionally, differential metabolites can be utilized as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic responses. In this review, we present a thorough overview of developments in metabolomics for viral hepatitis.

The SLIT/ROBO Pathway in Liver Fibrosis and Cancer

Liver fibrosis is a common outcome of most chronic liver insults/injuries that can develop into an irreversible process of cirrhosis and, eventually, liver cancer. In recent years, there has been significant progress in basic and clinical research on liver cancer, leading to the identification of various signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis and disease progression. Slit glycoprotein (SLIT)1, SLIT2, and SLIT3 are secreted members of a protein family that accelerate positional interactions between cells and their environment during development. These proteins signal through Roundabout receptor (ROBO) receptors (ROBO1, ROBO2, ROBO3, and ROBO4) to achieve their cellular effects. The SLIT and ROBO signaling pathway acts as a neural targeting factor regulating axon guidance, neuronal migration, and axonal remnants in the nervous system. Recent findings suggest that various tumor cells differ in SLIT/ROBO signaling levels and show varying degrees of expression patterns during tumor angiogenesis, cell invasion, metastasis, and infiltration. Emerging roles of the SLIT and ROBO axon-guidance molecules have been discovered in liver fibrosis and cancer development. Herein, we examined the expression patterns of SLIT and ROBO proteins in normal adult livers and two types of liver cancers: hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. This review also summarizes the potential therapeutics of this pathway for anti-fibrosis and anti-cancer drug development.

Eicosanoids and other oxylipins in liver injury, inflammation and liver cancer development

Liver cancer is a malignancy developed from underlying liver disease that encompasses liver injury and metabolic disorders. The progression from these underlying liver disease to cancer is accompanied by chronic inflammatory conditions in which liver macrophages play important roles in orchestrating the inflammatory response. During this process, bioactive lipids produced by hepatocytes and macrophages mediate the inflammatory responses by acting as pro-inflammatory factors, as well as, playing roles in the resolution of inflammation conditions. Here, we review the literature discussing the roles of bioactive lipids in acute and chronic hepatic inflammation and progression to cancer.

A Novel Role for Cytochrome P450 Epoxygenase Metabolites in Septic Shock

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

This is the largest study describing the role of P450 epoxygenase metabolites in septic shock in humans and suggests a novel therapeutic target.

Effect of oridonin on oxylipins in the livers of mice with acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Oridonin (Ori) has been shown to protect against acute liver injury (ALI) induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Oxylipins are oxidation products of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and are key proinflammatory mediators. This study aimed to investigate the changes in oxylipins in the livers of mice with D-GalN/LPS-induced ALI and the effects of Ori on these changes.

RESULTS

54 oxylipins in liver tissues were identified and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTRAP/MS/MS). The levels of 12-HETE, 12-HEPE, 14(S)-HDHA, PGE2, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and 13-HOTrE in the liver were significantly increased in the D-GalN/LPS-induced ALI group compared with the control group, and the levels of EPA and 7-HDHA were significantly decreased. However, pretreatment with Ori dramatically decreased the levels of 12-HETE, 12-HEPE, 14(S)-HDHA, PGE2 and 13-HOTrE compared with those of the ALI group and induced 7-HDHA and 15-oxoETE. Moreover, Ori reduced the protein levels of COX-1, COX-2, ALOX5, ALOX12 and ALOX15 induced by D-GalN/LPS, indicating that Ori altered oxylipins through the COX and LOX pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the protective effect of Ori on ALI is partly mediated by affecting the oxylipin pathway.

LC/MS-Based Global Metabolomic Identification of Serum Biomarkers Differentiating Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Chronic Hepatitis B and Liver Cirrhosis

Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is one of the primary risk factors associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite having been extensively studied, diagnosing early-stage HCC remains challenging, and diagnosed patients have a poor (3-5%) survival rate. Identifying new approaches to detect changes in the serum metabolic profiles of patients with CHB and liver cirrhosis (LC) may provide a valuable approach to better detect HCC at an early stage when it is still amenable to treatment, thereby improving patient prognosis and survival. In the present study, we, therefore, employed a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based approach to evaluate the serum metabolic profiles of 30 CHB patients, 29 LC patients, and 30 HCC patients. We then employed appropriate statistical methods to identify those metabolites that were best able to distinguish HCC cases from LC and CHB controls. A mass-based database was then used to putatively identify these metabolites. We then confirmed the identities of a subset of these metabolites through comparisons with the MS/MS fragmentation patterns and retention times of reference standards. The serum samples were then reanalyzed to quantify the levels of these selected metabolites and of other metabolites that have previously been identified as potential HCC biomarkers. Through this approach, we observed clear differences in the metabolite profiles of the CHB, LC, and HCC patient groups in both positive- and negative-ion modes. We found that the levels of taurodeoxy cholic acid (TCA) and 1,2-diacyl-3-β-d-galactosyl-sn-glycerol rose with the progression from CHB to LC to HCC, whereas levels of 5-hydroxy-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoic acid, and glycyrrhizic acid were gradually reduced with liver disease progression in these groups. The ROC analysis showed that taurodeoxy cholic acid (TCA), 1,2-diacyl-3-β-d-galactosyl-sn-glycerol, 5-hydroxy-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoic acid, and glycyrrhizic acid had a diagnosis performance with liver disease progression. These four metabolites have a significant correlation with alpha fetal protein (AFP) level and age. Our results highlight novel metabolic biomarkers that have the potential to be used for differentiating between CHB, LC, and HCC patients, thereby facilitating the identification and treatment of patients with early-stage HCC.

Gigantol ameliorates CCl4-induced liver injury via preventing activation of JNK/cPLA2/12-LOX inflammatory pathway

Arachidonic acid (AA) signaling pathway is an important constituent of inflammatory processes. In our previous study, it was found that dihydro-stilbene gigantol relieved hepatic inflammation in mice with CCl₄-induced acute liver injury. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of arachidonate metabolic cascade in this process. Our results showed CCl₄ activated AA metabolism with the evidence of cPLA2 phosphorylation, which was dependent on the MAPK/JNK activation. Pretreatment with JNK inhibitor SU3327 or gigantol abolished the cPLA2 activation, along with the attenuation of liver damage. Besides, gigantol markedly decreased immune cells activation. Metabolomic analysis revealed that gigantol universally reversed the upregulation of major AA metabolites in injured mouse livers induced by CCl₄, especially 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE). Gigantol also decreased the mRNA and protein expression of platelet-, and leukocyte-type 12-lipoxxygenase (LOX) in the liver. Furthermore, pan-LOX inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and specific 12-LOX inhibitors baicalein and ML351 attenuated the liver injury to the same extent as gigantol. Overall, our study elucidated a comprehensive profile of AA metabolites during hepatic inflammation caused by CCl₄, highlighting the role of 12-LOX-12-HETE pathway in this process. And gigantol alleviated liver inflammation partly through inhibiting the JNK/cPLA2/12-LOX pathway.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling and profiling of portal circulation in human patients for metabolic research studies and biomarker assessment

Portal and hepatic circulation can now be safely accessed using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). EUS-guided needle access of the portal vein is performed clinically at select tertiary centers for measurement of portal pressure gradients in patients with chronic liver disease and sampling of portal venous thrombus to diagnose malignancy. We propose that this novel clinical technique can be applied in research studies to allow blood collection from and profiling of portal and hepatic circulation. In this technical report, we present and highlight the technical aspects, feasibility, and safety of EUS: guided portal venous blood collection. As a proof of the concept and the utility of this technique in metabolic research and biomarker assessment and discovery, we present a pilot metabolite profiling study of portal venous blood in a small cohort of patients with cirrhosis and a comparison with a group without cirrhosis. Despite the very small diameter of the endoscopic needle used for the blood collection, the portal samples have the same quality as those collected from systemic circulation, and they can be used for the same downstream applications. Finally, we propose an analytical workflow to screen for promising metabolites that could qualify for further studies to determine their utility as sensitive, early candidate biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis, portal shunt, and hypertension. We hope that this report could stimulate and facilitate the widespread use of EUS-guided techniques for the profiling of portal circulation, which could potentially open a new field of scientific inquiry.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The technical aspects, feasibility, and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided needle access for portal venous blood collection are presented in this technical report. Despite the very small diameter of the endoscopic needle, portal blood samples have the same quality as those collected from systemic circulation. As a proof of the concept and the utility of this technique in metabolic research and biomarker assessment and discovery, we present a pilot metabolite profiling study of portal venous blood in a small cohort of patients with cirrhosis and a comparison with a group without cirrhosis.

Metabolomic and Lipidomic Biomarkers for Premalignant Liver Disease Diagnosis and Therapy

In recent years, there has been a plethora of attempts to discover biomarkers that are more reliable than α-fetoprotein for the early prediction and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Efforts have involved such fields as genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, microRNA, exosomes, proteomics, glycoproteomics, and metabolomics. HCC arises against a background of inflammation, steatosis, and cirrhosis, due mainly to hepatic insults caused by alcohol abuse, hepatitis B and C virus infection, adiposity, and diabetes. Metabolomics offers an opportunity, without recourse to liver biopsy, to discover biomarkers for premalignant liver disease, thereby alerting the potential of impending HCC. We have reviewed metabolomic studies in alcoholic liver disease (ALD), cholestasis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Specificity was our major criterion in proposing clinical evaluation of indole-3-lactic acid, phenyllactic acid, N-lauroylglycine, decatrienoate, N-acetyltaurine for ALD, urinary sulfated bile acids for cholestasis, cervonoyl ethanolamide for fibrosis, 16α-hydroxyestrone for cirrhosis, and the pattern of acyl carnitines for NAFL and NASH. These examples derive from a large body of published metabolomic observations in various liver diseases in adults, adolescents, and children, together with animal models. Many other options have been tabulated. Metabolomic biomarkers for premalignant liver disease may help reduce the incidence of HCC.

Simultaneous Quantification of 22 Glucosinolates in 12 Brassicaceae Vegetables by Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Glucosinolates, which are unique to Brassicaceae vegetables, have diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer actions. In this study, we applied hydrophilic interaction chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) to the simultaneous quantification of 22 glucosinolates in 12 Brassicaceae vegetables, including pak choi, choy sum, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Kai Lan, Brussels sprouts, rocket salad, daikon radish, red cherry radish, and watercress. Significant differences in concentration and composition of glucosinolates were observed among these vegetables. Cabbage had the highest level of total glucosinolates (μg/g dry weight: 19 551.2 ± 1317.7), whereas Kai Lan had the lowest level (7611.3 ± 868.4). Aliphatic and indole glucosinolates were the major components in the 12 vegetables ranging from 76 to 100%, except watercress (37%). On the basis of the content of glucosinolates, the 12 vegetables were well distinguishable and classified according to their morphological taxonomy. This study presents a HILIC-MS/MS approach for quantification of glucosinolates, and demonstrates the potential of glucosinolate profiles for Brassicaceae species identification.