Impact of Gut Recolonization on Liver Regeneration: Hepatic Matrisome Gene Expression after Partial Hepatectomy in Mice

The hepatic matrisome is involved in the remodeling phase of liver regeneration. As the gut microbiota has been implicated in liver regeneration, we investigated its role in liver regeneration focusing on gene expression of the hepatic matrisome after partial hepatectomy (PHx) in germ-free (GF) mice, and in GF mice reconstituted with normal gut microbiota (XGF). Liver mass restoration, hepatocyte proliferation, and immune response were assessed following 70% PHx. Hepatic matrisome and collagen gene expression were also analyzed. Reduced liver weight/body weight ratio, mitotic count, and hepatocyte proliferative index at 72 h post PHx in GF mice were preceded by reduced expression of cytokine receptor genes Tnfrsf1a and Il6ra, and Hgf gene at 3 h post PHx. In XGF mice, these indices were significantly higher than in GF mice, and similar to that of control mice, indicating normal liver regeneration. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the matrisome were lower in GF compared to XGF mice at both 3 h and 72 h post PHx. GF mice also demonstrated lower collagen expression, with significantly lower expression of Col1a1, Col1a2, Col5a1, and Col6a2 compared to WT mice at 72 h post PHx. In conclusion, enhanced liver regeneration and matrisome expression in XGF mice suggests that interaction of the gut microbiota and matrisome may play a significant role in the regulation of hepatic remodeling during the regenerative process.

Effects of Probiotic and Selenium Co-supplementation on Lipid Profile and Glycemia Indices: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The current systematic review and meta-analysis was done to evaluate the effects of selenium and probiotic co-supplementation on lipid profile and glycemia indices of the adult population using randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs).

RECENT FINDINGS

Five studies involving 282 participants with a sample size ranging from 38 to 79 were eligible to be enrolled in the current study. Co-supplementation with probiotic and selenium reduced fasting plasma glucose (WMD =  -4.02 mg/dL; 95% CI: -5.87 to -2.18; P < 0.001), insulin (WMD =  -2.50 mIU/mL; 95% CI: -3.11 to -1.90; P < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (WMD =  -0.59; 95% CI: -0.74 to -0.43; P < 0.001), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (WMD = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.02; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD =  -12.75 mg/dL; 95% CI: -19.44 to -6.07; P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD =  -7.09 mg/dL; 95% CI: -13.45 to -0.73; P = 0.029), and triglyceride (WMD =  -14.38 mg/dL; 95% CI: -23.13 to -5.62; P = 0.001). The findings of the current systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that co-supplementation with probiotics and selenium may benefit adults in terms of glycemia indices and lipid profile. However, due to the small number of included studies, further trials are needed to confirm our findings.

The effect and underlying mechanisms of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on glucose homeostasis: A literature review

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂ ) is used extensively as a white pigment in the food industry, personal care, and a variety of products of everyday use. Although TiO₂ has been categorized as a bioinert material, recent evidence has demonstrated different toxicity profiles of TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) and a potential health risk to humans. Studies indicated that titanium dioxide enters the systemic circulation and accumulates in the lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, and central nervous system and may cause oxidative stress and tissue damage in these vital organs. Recently, some studies have raised concerns about the possible detrimental effects of TiO₂ NPs on glucose homeostasis. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the methodological issues. This article aims to evaluate current evidence regarding the effects of TiO₂ NPs on glucose homeostasis, including possible underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, the limitations of current studies are discussed, which may provide a comprehensive understanding and new perspectives for future studies in this field.

Delayed liver regeneration in C3H/HeJ mice: possible involvement of haemodynamic and structural changes in the hepatic microcirculation

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? The liver regenerative process is complex and involves a sequence of signalling events, but the possible involvement of structural and haemodynamic changes in vivo during this process has never been explored. What is the main finding and its importance? Normal sinusoidal blood flow and velocity are crucial for a normal regenerative response, and delays in these haemodynamic events resulted in impaired liver regeneration in lipopolysaccharide-insensitive, C3H/HeJ mice. Toll-like receptor 4 signalling is required for restoration of normal liver architecture during the liver regenerative process. Liver regeneration is delayed in mice with a defective Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4; C3H/HeJ mice) but is normal in TLR4 knockouts (TLR4^-/- ). Here, we investigated the possible involvement of structural and haemodynamic changes in vivo in the underlying mechanism. In lipopolysaccharide-sensitive (C3H/HeN and C57BL/6) and lipopolysaccharide-insensitive (C3H/HeJ and TLR4^-/- ) mice, a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed under inhalational anaesthesia. At days 3 and 7 after PH, the hepatic microcirculation was interrogated using intravital microscopy. Delayed liver regeneration was confirmed in C3H/HeJ, but not in C3H/HeN, C57BL/6 (WT) or TLR4^-/- mice by liver weight-to-body-weight ratio, the percentage of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells and mitotic index data. At day 3 after PH, sinusoidal red blood cell velocity increased by 100% in C3H/HeN mice, but by only 40% in C3H/HeJ mice. Estimated sinusoidal blood flow was significantly higher at day 7 after PH in C3H/HeN than in C3H/HeJ mice. The hepatic cord width was significantly larger in C3H/HeN than in C3H/HeJ mice at day 3 and it was significantly larger in TLR4^-/- than in C57BL/6 WT mice at day 7 after PH. Hepatocyte nucleus density and functional sinusoidal density was significantly reduced at days 3 and 7 after PH in all mouse strains compared with their zero-time controls. Functional sinusoidal density was significantly lower in C3H/HeJ compared with C3H/HeN mice at day 7 after PH. The present study indicates that altered sinusoidal blood flow and velocity in C3H/HeJ mice may contribute to the observed delay in the regenerative response in these mice. In addition, restoration of normal liver architecture may be delayed in TLR4^-/- mice.

Role of hepatic stellate cell/hepatocyte interaction and activation of hepatic stellate cells in the early phase of liver regeneration in the rat

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are known to play a role in hepatic regeneration. We investigated hepatocyte/HSC interaction and HSC activation at various times after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) in the rat.

METHODS

The hepatic microcirculation was studied using intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVFM). Desmin and alpha-SMA within liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. In isolated parenchymal liver cells (PLCs) and HSCs, double immunostaining was used to identify activated HSC.

RESULTS

Using IVFM, hepatocyte-clusters were often seen in vivo at 3 days after PHx (PHx3). Distance between HSC fell from 61.7+/-2.1 microm in controls to 36.1+/-1.4 microm (P<0.001) while the HSC/hepatocyte ratio rose (0.71+/-0.01 to 1.08+/-0.03; P<0.001). In >80% of in vivo microscopic fields in the PHx3 group, clusters of HSCs were observed especially near hepatocyte-clusters. At PHx1 and PHx3, >20% of cells in the PLC-fraction were HSCs which adhered to hepatocytes. At PHx3, in addition to desmin staining, isolated HSCs were also positive for BrdU and alpha-SMA, and formed clusters. HSCs in the HSC-fraction were only positive for desmin which indicated that adherence to hepatocytes is required for HSC activation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that HSCs are activated by adhering to hepatocytes in the early phase of liver regeneration.