Lipopolysaccharide induces and activates the Nalp3 inflammasome in the liver

AIM:To examine the activation of the Nalp3 inflammasome and its downstream targets following lipopolysaccharide(LPS) -induced stimulation in the liver. METHODS:Six-to-eight-week-old C57BL/6 chow fed mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5μg/g bodyweight LPS and sacrificed 2,4,6,18 or 24 h later. LPS-induced liver damage was confirmed by a biochemical assay to detect alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels.To determine if LPS stimulation in the liver led to activation of the inflammasome,real-time quantit...     

Adiponectin deficiency exacerbates lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in mice

AIM: To examine the effects of adiponectin on the functions of Kupffer cells, key modulators of lipopolysaccha-ride (LPS) -induced liver injury. METHODS: D-galactosamine (GaIN) and LPS were injected intraperitoneally into adiponectin-/- mice and wild type mice. Kupffer cells, isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats, were preincubated with or without adiponectin, and then treated with LPS. RESULTS: In knockout mice, GalN/LPS injection significantly lowered the survival rate, significantly raised the plasma levels of alanine transaminase and tumor necrosis factor-α(TIMF-α) and significantly reduced IL-10 levels compared with wild type mice. TIMF-αgene expression in the liver was which higher and those of IL-10 were lower in knockout mice than in wild type mice. In cultured adiponectin-pre-treated Kupffer cells, LPS significantly lowered TNF-αlevels and raised IL-10 levels in the culture media and their respective gene expression levels, compared with Kupffer cells without adiponectin-pre-treatment. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin supresses TNF-αproduction and induces IL-10 production by Kupffer cells in response to LPS stimulation, and a lack of adiponectin enhances LPS-induced liver injury.     

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus by oxymatrine in vivo

AIM To investigate the anti-HBV effect ofoxymatrine (oxy) in vivo.METHODS HBV transgenic mice were producedby micro-injection of a 4.2kb fragmentcontaining the complete HBV genomes.Expression level of HBsAg and HBcAg in thetransgenic mice liver was determined byimmunohistochemical assay,RESULTS Four groups (6 mice in each group)were injected intraperitoneally with oxy at thedosage of 100,200, and 300 mg/kg or with salineonce a day for 30 days. Both HBsAg and HBcAgwere positive in livers of all the six mice in thecontrol group (injected with saline), and werepositive in livers of two mice in 100 mg/kg groupand 300mg/kg group. In 200mg/kg group,HBsAg and HBcAg were negative in livers of allthe six mice. Based on the results, 200 mg/kg isthe ideal dosage to explore the effect of oxy atdifferent time points. According to the oxytreatment time, mice were divided into fourgroups: 10 d, 20 d, 30 d and 60 d (4 mice in eachgroup). Each mouse underwent liver biopsy twoweeks before the treatment of oxy. Down-regulation of HBsAg and HBcAg appeared aftertreatment of oxymatrine for 10 d and 20 d, Dane-like particles disappeared after the treatment ofoxy for 20d under electron microscopy,however, the expression level of HBsAg andHBcAg returned to normal 60 d later after oxytreatment.CONCLUSION oxymatrine can reduce thecontents of HBsAg and HBcAg in transgenic miceliver, longer treatment time and larger dosagedo not yield better effects.     

Effects of ursodeoxycholic acid and／or low-calorie diet on steatohepatitis in rats with obesity and hyperlipidemia

AIM: To evaluate the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and/or low-calorie diet (LCD) on a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: Fifty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. The control group (n = 9) was fed with standard rat diet for 12 wk, NASH group (n = 10) was fed with high-fat diet consisted of normal diet, 10% lard oil and 2% cholesterol for 12 wk, UDCA group (n = 10) was fed with high-fat diet supplemented with UDCA at a dose of 25 mg/(kg · d) in drinking water for 12 wk, LCD group (n = 10) was fed with high-fat diet for 10 wk and then LCD for 2 wk, and UDCA+LCD group (n = 15) was fed with high-fat diet for 10 wk, followed by LCD+UDCA for 2 wk. At the end of the experiment, body weight, serum biochemical index, and hepatopathologic changes were examined. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, rats in the NASH group had significantly increased body weight, liver weight, and serum lipid and aminotransferase levels. All rats in the NASH group developed steatohepatitis, as determined by their liver histology. Compared with the NASH group, there were no significant changes in body weight, liver weight, blood biochemical index, the degree of hepatic steatosis, and histological activity index (HAI) score in the UDCA group; however, body and liver weights were significantly decreased, and the degree of steatosis was markedly improved in rats of both the LCD group and the UDCA+LCD group, but significant improvement with regard to serum lipid variables and hepatic inflammatory changes were seen only in rats of the UDCA+LCD group, and not in the LCD group. CONCLUSION: LCD might play a role in the treatment of obesity and hepatic steatosis in rats, but it exerts no significant effect on both serum lipid disorders and hepatic inflammatory changes. UDCA may enhance the therapeutic effects of LCD on steatohepatitis accompanied by obesity and hyperlipidemia. However, UDCA alone is not effective in the prevention of steatohepatitis induced by high-fat diet.     

Effects of aqueous extract of Notobasis syriaca on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of a dry aqueous extract of Notobasis syriaca(N. syriaca)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation in rats. Methods: Rats were fed the dried extract [500 mg/(kg·d)] for three consecutive days and then were intraperitoneally injected with LPS(1 mg/kg). Two hours after LPS injection, rats were sacrificed and blood and brain regions were collected. Inflammatory mediators' levels in plasma and homogenates of brain regions were determined by ELISA. Results: Pretreatment with the N. syriaca extract resulted in significant anti-inflammatory effects(P0.05), including: i) attenuated LPS-induced hypothermia; ii) decreased hypothalamus and hippocampus prostaglandin E_2 levels in the LPStreated rats; and, iii) reduced hypothalamus and hippocampus interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-a levels in the LPS-treated rats. Conclusions: These results suggest that N. syriaca possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it is possible that long-term consumption of this plant may result in beneficial pharmacological effects.     

High persistence rate of hepatitis B virus in a hydrodynamic injection-based transfection model in C3H/He N mice

AIM: To optimize the viral persistence rate in a hydrodynamic injection(HI) based hepatitis B virus(HBV) transfection mouse model.METHODS:(1) 5-6-wk-old male C3H/He N and C57BL/6 mice were hydrodynamically injected with 10 μg endotoxin-free p AAV/HBV1.2 plasmid DNA via the tail vein. Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag), hepatitis B e antigen(HBe Ag) and HBV DNA, both in the serum and liver, were detected at different time points post HI by ELISA, immunohistochemical staining or quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR);(2) male C3H/He N and C57BL/6 mice, either hydrodynamically injected mice at 10 wk post HI or na?ve mice, were all immunized subcutaneously with 5 μg HBs Ag formulated in complete Freund’s adjuvant three times at a 2-wk interval. Two weeks after the final immunization, splenocytes were isolated for T cell function analysis by ELISPOT assay; and(3) five weeks post HI, C3H/He N mice were intragastrically administered 0.1 mg/kg entecavir once a day for 14 d, or were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg/kg interferon(IFN)-α twice a week for 2 wk, or were treated with PBS as controls. The sera were collected and assayed for HBV DNA on days 0, 7 and 14 after drug treatment. RESULTS:(1) Approximately 90%(22/25) of the injected C3H/He N mice were still HBs Ag-positive at 46 wk post HI, whereas HBs Ag in C57BL/6 mice were completely cleared at 24 wk. Serum levels of HBe Ag in C3H/He N mice were higher than those in C57BL/6 mice from 4 wk to 46 wk. HBV DNA levels in the hydrodynamically injected C3H/He N mice were higher than those in the C57BL/6 mice, both in the serum(from 4 wk to 46 wk) and in the liver(detected at 8 wk and 46 wk post HI). Histology showed that hepatitis B core antigen and HBs Ag were expressed longer in the liver of C3H/He N mice than in C57BL/6;(2) HBs Ag specific T cell responses after HBs Ag vaccination in hydrodynamically injected C3H/He N and C57BL/6 mice, or naive control mice were detected by ELISPOT assay. After stimulation with HBs Ag, the frequencies of IFN-γ producing splenocytes in the hydrodynamically injected C3H/He N mice were significantly lower than those in hydrodynamically injected C57BL/6 mice, control C3H/He N and control C57BL/6 mice, which were 0, 17 ± 7, 18 ± 10, and 41 ± 10 SFCs/106 splenocytes, respectively, and the mean spot sizes showed the same pattern. Even just stimulated with PMA and ionomysin, T-cell responses elicited in the vaccinated control C3H/He N were much higher than those in hydrodynamically injected C3H/He N mice; and(3) For drug treatment experiments on the hydrodynamically injected C3H/He N mice, serum HBV DNA levels in the entecavir treatment group declined(131.2 folds, P < 0.01) on day 7 after treatment and kept going down. In the group of IFN-α treatment, serum HBV DNA levels declined to a lowest point(6.42 folds, P < 0.05) on 7 d after treatment and then rebounded.CONCLUSION: We have developed a novel HI-based HBV transfection model using C3H/He N mice, which had a higher HBV persistence rate than the classic C57BL/6 mouse model.     

Curcumin protects against acetaminophen-induced apoptosis in hepatic injury

AIM:To explore the effects of curcumin(CMN)on hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen(APAP)in vivo.METHODS:Male mice were randomly divided into three groups:groupⅠ(control)mice received the equivalent volumes of phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)intraperitoneally(ip);GroupⅡ[APAP+carboxymethylcellulose(CMC)]mice received 1%CMC(vehicle)2h before APAP injection;GroupⅢ(APAP+CMN)mice received curcumin(10 or 20 mg/kg,ip)2 h before before or after APAP challenge.In GroupsⅡandⅢ,APAP was dissolved in pyrogen-free PBS and injected at a single dose of 300 mg/kg.CMN was dissolved in 1%CMC.Mice were sacrificed 16 h after the APAP injection to determine alanine aminotransferase(ALT)levels in serum and malondialdehyde(MDA)accumulation,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and hepatocyte apoptosis in liver tissues.RESULTS:Both pre-and post-treatment with curcumin resulted in a significant decrease in serum ALT compared with APAP treatment group(10 mg/kg:801.46±661.34 U/L;20 mg/kg:99.68±86.48 U/L vs 5406.80±1785.75 U/L,P<0.001,respectively).The incidence of liver necrosis was significantly lowered in CMN treated animals.MDA contents were significantly reduced in 20 mg/kg CMN pretreatment group,but increased in APAP treated group(10.96±0.87 nmol/mg protein vs 16.03±2.58 nmol/mg protein,P<0.05).The decrease of SOD activity in APAP treatment group and the increase of SOD in 20 mg/kg CMN pretreatment group were also detected(24.54±4.95 U/mg protein vs 50.21±1.93 U/mg protein,P<0.05).Furthermore,CMN treatment efficiently protected against APAPinduced apoptosis via increasing Bcl-2/Bax ratio.CONCLUSION:CMN has significant therapeutic potential in both APAP-induced hepatotoxicity and other types of liver diseases.     

落新妇甙对热缺血再灌注损伤肝脏肿瘤坏死因子α与白细胞介素-10表达的影响

Objective To investigate the effects of astilbin on the expressions of TNF α and IL-10 during liver warm ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods C57BL/ 6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): sham-operated group (Sham), model control group(I/R), low dosage of astilbin treatment group (10 mg/kg) and high dosage of astilbin (40 mg/kg) treatment group. The treatment group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 10 or 40 mg/kg astilbin 24 hours and one hour before Ischemia, the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion model were thus established. After jn90 of min ischemia and 6 h reperfusion of the partial hepatic lobe, the expressions of TNF α and IL-10 in liver tissues collected from the experimental groups were detected by Western blot and semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results The expression of TNF a protein in liver tissues gradually decreased in treatment groups (low and high dosages of astilbin treatment groups) as compared to the I/R model control group. Similar results were observed in the mRNA expressions of these genes as determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR (P < 0.05 for low dosage group; P < 0.01 for high dosage group). Compared with the I/R model control group, the expression of IL-10 was increased in both treatment groups (low dosage group P < 0.05; large dosage group P < 0.01). Conclusion Treatment with astilbin decreases TNF α expression but induces IL-10 expression in liver during warm ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

落新妇甙对热缺血再灌注损伤肝脏肿瘤坏死因子α与白细胞介素-10表达的影响

Objective To investigate the effects of astilbin on the expressions of TNF α and IL-10 during liver warm ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods C57BL/ 6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): sham-operated group (Sham), model control group(I/R), low dosage of astilbin treatment group (10 mg/kg) and high dosage of astilbin (40 mg/kg) treatment group. The treatment group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 10 or 40 mg/kg astilbin 24 hours and one hour before Ischemia, the hepatic ischemia-reperfusion model were thus established. After jn90 of min ischemia and 6 h reperfusion of the partial hepatic lobe, the expressions of TNF α and IL-10 in liver tissues collected from the experimental groups were detected by Western blot and semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results The expression of TNF a protein in liver tissues gradually decreased in treatment groups (low and high dosages of astilbin treatment groups) as compared to the I/R model control group. Similar results were observed in the mRNA expressions of these genes as determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR (P < 0.05 for low dosage group; P < 0.01 for high dosage group). Compared with the I/R model control group, the expression of IL-10 was increased in both treatment groups (low dosage group P < 0.05; large dosage group P < 0.01). Conclusion Treatment with astilbin decreases TNF α expression but induces IL-10 expression in liver during warm ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Antithrombin Ⅲ injection via the portal vein suppresses liver damage

AIM:To investigate the effects of antithrombin Ⅲ(AT Ⅲ) injection via the portal vein in acute liver failure.METHODS:Thirty rats were intraperitoneally challenged with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and D-galactosamine(GalN) and divided into three groups:a control group;a group injected with AT Ⅲ via the tail vein;and a group injected with AT Ⅲ via the portal vein.AT Ⅲ(50 U/kg body weight) was administrated 1 h after challenge with LPS and GalN.Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and fibrin degradation products,hepatic fibrin deposition,and hepatic mRNA expression of hypoxiarelated genes were analyzed.RESULTS:Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase,tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 decreased significantly following portal vein AT Ⅲ injection compared with tail vein injection,and control rats.Portal vein AT Ⅲ injection reduced liver cell destruction and decreased hepatic fibrin deposition.This treatment also significantly reduced hepatic mRNA expression of lactate dehydrogenase and heme oxygenase-1.CONCLUSION:A clinically acceptable dose of AT Ⅲ injection into the portal vein suppressed liver damage,probably through its enhanced anticoagulant and antiinflammatory activities.     

Mechanism of annexin A1/N-formylpeptide receptor regulation of macrophage function to inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation through Wnt/β-catenin pathway

BACKGROUND Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathological process of chronic liver diseases with various causes, which can progress to cirrhosis.AIM To evaluate the effect and mechanism of action annexin(Anx)A1 in liver fibrosis and how this could be targeted therapeutically.METHODS CCl4(20%) and active N-terminal peptide of Anx A1(Ac2-26) and N-formylpeptide receptor antagonist N-Boc-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Phe(Boc2) were injected intraperitoneally to induce liver fibrosis in eight wild-type mice/Anxa1 knoc...     

Effect of arsenic trioxide on human hepatocarcinoma in nude mice

AIM:To study the effect of arsenic trioxide (As_2O_3) on humanhepatoma cell line 8EL-7402 in vivo.METHODS:Human hepatoma cell line BEL-7402 culturedin vitro was inoculated into nude mice and arsenic trioxide,5-Fu and saline were injected into abdominal cavity of thenude mice respectively.The volumes of tumor and generalconditions of the nude mice and structural changes of theliver and kidney were observed.Morphologic changes werestudied under electron microscope.Expression of AFP wasinvestigated by immunohistochemical method.RESULTS:As_2O_3 could inhibit the growth of tumon The tumorgrowth inhibitory rate in mice treated with 2.5 mg/kg As_2O_3was 53.42% on the tenth day.The tumor growth inhibitoryrate in mice treated with 5 mg/kg As_2O_3 was 79.280/0 on thefifth day and 96.58% on the tenth day respectively.As_2O_3 didnot damage the liver and kidney of nude mice,or affect theblood system.Typical apoptotic morphological changeswere found under electron microscope,and the change ofmitochondria was obvious.The expression rate of AFPdeclined after treatment.CONCLUSION:Arsenic trioxide can induce apoptosis ofhuman hepatoma cells,and inhibit proliferation of tumorwith no obvious side effects on liver and kidney.     

Curcumin attenuated paracetamol overdose induced hepatitis

AIM: To investigate whether curcumin could attenuate hepatitis in mice with paracetamol overdose. METHODS: Male mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 (control, n = 8); was fed with distilled water; Group 2 [N-acetyl-P-aminophenol (APAP), n = 8]; was fed with a single dose of 400 mg/kg APAP dissolved in distilled water; Group 3 [APAP + curcumin (CUR) 200, n = 8], was fed with a single dose of 400 mg/kg APAP and 200 mg/kg CUR; Group 4 (APAP + CUR 600, n = 8), was fed with a single dose of 400 mg/kg APAP and 600 mg/ kg CUR. Twenty-four hours later, the liver was removed to examine hepatic glutathione (GSH), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), and histopathologically. Then whole blood was withdrawn from heart to determine transaminase (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) and inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18] levels by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: Serum transaminase, hepatic MDA, and inflammatory cytokines increased significantly in the APAP compared with the control group. Curcumin supplementation in APAP + CUR 200 and APAP + CUR 600 groups significantly decreased these parameters compared with the APAP group. The level of GSH decreased significantly in the APAP compared with the control group. Curcumin supplementation in APAP + CUR 200 and APAP + CUR 600 groups significantly increased these parameters compared with the APAP group. The histological appearance of the liver in the control group showed normal. In the APAP-treated group, the liver showed extensive hemorrhagic hepatic necrosis at all zones. Curcumin supplementation in APAP + CUR 200 and APAP + CUR 600 groups, caused the liver histopathology to improve. In the APAP + CUR 200 group, the liver showed focal necrosis and but the normal architecture was well preserved in APAP + CUR 600 group. CONCLUSION: APAP overdose can cause liver injury. Results indicate that curcumin prevents APAP-induced hepatitis through the improvement of liver histopathology by decreased oxidative stress,     

Antimalarial activity of the aqueous extract of Euphorbia cordifolia Elliot in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice

Objective: To evaluate the antimalarial activity of the aqueous extract of Euphorbia(E.) cordifolia Elliot against Plasmodium(P.)berghei-infected mice.Methods: Thirty healthy Swiss mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 200 μL of P. berghei parasitized-erythrocytes and divided into five groups, and then daily treated for 5 d with single dose of 10 mL/kg of distilled water for malaria control, 10 mg/kg of chloroquine for the chloroquine control and 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of E. cordifolia for the three test groups. Parasitaemia was monitored by Giemsa-staining. At the end of the treatment, animals were sacrificed, and blood was collected for haematological and biochemical analyses. Organs were collected for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Statistical significance(P0.05) was evaluated by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post-test using Graphpad prism 7.0. Results: E. cordifolia extract decreased the parasite load to 2.46%, with an effective dose(ED_(50)) of 113.07 mg/kg compared to the malaria group where the parasite load increased to(46.46±10.28)%. E. cordifolia extract prevented hypoglycaemia, anaemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytopenia, attenuated the increase of transaminases activities, bilirubin and creatinine rate, and improved catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, while reducing malondialdehyde contents in the liver and kidney. E. cordifolia extract significantly prevented histological damages observed in the malaria control group. No acute toxicity sign was observed in mice with plant extract at the dose up to 5 000 mg/kg.Conclusions: E. cordifolia extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed significant antimalarial effects. This results support its traditional use in the treatment of malaria.     

Role of pentoxifylline in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice

AIM:To study pentoxifylline effects in liver and adipose tissue inflammation in obese mice induced by high-fat diet(HFD).METHODS: Male swiss mice(6-wk old) were fed a highfat diet(HFD; 60% kcal from fat) or AIN-93(control diet; 15% kcal from fat) for 12 wk and received pentoxifylline intraperitoneally(100 mg/kg per day) for the last 14 d. Glucose homeostasis was evaluated by measurements of basal glucose blood levels and insulin tolerance test two days before the end of the protocol. Final body weight was assessed. Epididymal adipose tissue was collected and weighted for adiposity evaluation. Liver and adipose tissue biopsies were homogenized in solubilization buffer and cytokines were measured in supernatant by enzyme immunoassay or multiplex kit, respectively. Hepatic histopathologic analyses were performed in sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded liver specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin by an independent pathologist. Steatosis(macrovesicular and microvesicular), ballooning degeneration and inflammation were histopathologically determined. Triglycerides measurements were performed after lipid extraction in liver tissue. RESULTS: Pentoxifylline treatment reduced microsteatosis and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in liver(156.3 ± 17.2 and 62.6 ± 7.6 pg/mL of TNF-α for non-treated and treated obese mice, respectively; P 0.05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase levels were also reduced(23.2 ± 6.9 and 12.1 ± 1.6 U/L for nontreated and treated obese mice, respectively; P 0.05) but had no effect on glucose homeostasis. In obese adipose tissue, pentoxifylline reduced TNF-α(106.1 ± 17.6 and 51.1 ± 9.6 pg/mL for non-treated and treated obese mice, respectively; P 0.05) and interleukin-6(340.8 ± 51.3 and 166.6 ± 22.5 pg/mL for non-treated and treated obese mice, respectively; P 0.05) levels; however, leptin(8.1 ± 0.7 and 23.1 ± 2.9 ng/mL for non-treated and treated lean mice, respectively; P 0.05) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(600.2 ± 32.3 and 1508.6 ± 210.4 pg/mL for non-treated and treated lean mice, respectively; P 0.05) levels increased in lean adipose tissue. TNF-α level in the liver of lean mice also increased(29.6 ± 6.6 and 75.4 ± 12.6 pg/mL for non-treated and treated lean mice, respectively; P 0.05) while triglycerides presented a tendency to reduction.CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline was beneficial in obese mice improving liver and adipose tissue inflammation. Unexpectedly, pentoxifylline increased pro-inflammatory markers in the liver and adipose tissue of lean mice.     

臭氧化盐水对肝细胞Keap1-Nrf2-ARE通路的激活作用

Objective To study the effect of ozonized saline on the activation of the Keapl-Nrf2ARE signaling pathway in rat liver cells. Methods Twenty maleSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into ozonized saline(OS) group, model group, ozonized saline control (OSC) group and normal control (NC)group. The rats in OS group and model group were intravenously administered with OS or oxygen saline (5 ml/kg) respectively, once a day for 15 days, and then intraperitoneally injected with CCU dissolved in Oliver oil. The rats in OSC group were pretreated with OS for 15 days. The rats in NC group were fed normally for 15 days. On the 16th day, the rats in OSC group and NC group were intraperitoneally injected with Oliver oil (2 ml/kg) without CCU. After 24 hours of CCU or olive oil intraperitoneal injection, the serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspertate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The liver tissues were also collected for detection of total anti-oxygen capability (TAOC), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Western Blot was used to detect Nrf2 and immunofluorescence staining assay to display intracelluar distribution of Nrf2. Results Compared with the rats in model group,the serum ALT and AST levels of rats in OS group were significantly lower (P < 0.01) ,which were (1240.4 ± 188.2) U/L and (1245.4 ± 176.9) U/L vs (539.8 ± 175.3) U/L and (546.0 ± 130.2) U/L, and the TAOC, CAT, GPx and GSH activity of rats in OS group were significantly higher, which were (0.72 ± 0.24) U/mg, (1.05 ±0.21) mg/g, (676.9 ± 115.1) U/mg and (45.2 ± 14.3) U/mg vs (1.37 ± 0.19) U/mg, (2.23 ± 0.55) mg/g,(1024.6 ± 162.9) U/mg and (68.2 ± 9.9) U/mg, respectively. In contrast with NC group, pretreatment of OS in OSC group elevated TAOC, CAT, GPx and GSH activity (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Ozonized saline can strengthen the Nrf2 expression in liver cells. Conclusions Preconditioning injection of ozonized saline can reduce rat's liver injury induced by CCl4- The ozonized saline, as a novel Nrf2 activator, can reduce the oxidative damage of radical oxygen species (ROS) and the deleterious substance by activating the KeaplNrf2-ARE signaling pathway and its downstream genes expression.     

高脂喂养对ApoE基因敲除小鼠胆固醇代谢相关基因表达的影响

建立高脂诱导载脂蛋白E基因敲除(ApoE-/-)小鼠胰岛素抵抗模型,探讨其对胆固醇代谢相关基因表达的影响.结果 显示高脂喂养组ApoE-/-小鼠空腹血糖、游离脂防酸、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和空腹血浆胰岛素水平明显高于对照组(均P＜0.01);肝组织中INSIG2和SCAP mRNA明显升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),肝INSIG2蛋白水平也明显增高(P＜0.05);而SREBP1 mRNA表达明显降低(P＜0.05).这些改变可能在该小鼠模型胆固醇代谢紊乱和胰岛素抵抗的发生中具有一定的作用.

Abstract：

To investigate the effect on gene expression related cholesterol metabolism in ApoE-/- mice with high-fat-induced insulin resistance(IR). In high-fat fed mice, FBG, FFA, TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and fasting plasma insulin were significantly higher than those of controls(P＜0.01). The INSIG2 and SCAP mRNA expressions in liver were significantly increased in high-fat fed mice compared with controls(P＜0. 05 or P＜0.01), and INSIG2 protein levels also increased(P＜0. 05). But SREBP1 mRNA expression in liver of high-fat fed mice was significantly reduced(P＜0. 05). These changes might contribute to IR and disorder of cholesterol metabolism in high-fat fed ApoE-/- mice.     

Hydrogen-rich water protects against acetaminopheninduced hepatotoxicity in mice

AIM: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of hydrogen-rich water(HRW) in acetaminophen(APAP)-induced liver injury in mice.METHODS: Male mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: normal saline(NS) control group, mice received equivalent volumes of NS intraperitoneally(ip); HRW control group, mice were given HRW(same volume as the NS group); APAP + NS group, mice received NS ip for 3 d(5 mL /kg body weight, twice a day at 8 am and 5 pm) after APAP injection; APAP + HRW group, mice received HRW for 3 d(same as NS treatment) after APAP challenge.In the first experiment, mice were injected ip with a lethal dose of 750 mg/kg APAP to determine the 5-d survival rates.In the second experiment, mice were injected ip with a sub-lethal dose of 500 mg/kg.Blood and liver samples were collected at 24, 48, and 72 h after APAP injection to determine the degree of liver injury.RESULTS :Treatment with HRW resulted ina significant increase in the 5-d survival rate compared with the APAP + NS treatment group(60% vs 26.67%, P 0.05).HRW could significantly decrease the serum alanine aminotransferase level(24 h: 4442 ± 714.3 U/L vs 6909 ± 304.8 U/L, P 0.01; 48 h: 3782 ± 557.5 U/L vs 5111 ± 404 U/L, P 0.01; and3255 ± 337.4 U/L vs 3814 ± 250.2 U/L, P 0.05, respectively) and aspartate aminotransferase level(24 h: 4683 ± 443.4 U/L vs 5307 ± 408.4 U/L, P 0.05; 48 h: 3392 ± 377.6 U/L vs 4458 ± 423.6 U/L, P 0.01; and 3354 ± 399.4 U/L vs 3778 ± 358 U/L, respectively) compared with the APAP treatment group.The alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase levels had the same result.Seventy-two hours after APAP administration, liver samples were collected for pathological examination and serum was collected to detect the cytokine levels.The liver index(5.16% ± 0.26% vs 5.88% ± 0.073%, P 0.05) and percentage of liver necrosis area(27.73% ± 0.58% vs 36.87% ± 0.49%, P 0.01) were significantly lower in the HRW-treated animals.The malonyldialdehyde(MDA) contents were significantly reduced in the HRW pretreatment group, but they were increased in the APAP-treated group(10.44 ± 1.339 nmol/mg protein vs 16.70 ± 1.646 nmol/mg protein, P 0.05).A decrease in superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in the APAP treatment group and an increase of SOD in the HRW treatment group were also detected(9.74 ± 0.46 U/mg protein vs 12.1 ± 0.67 U/mg protein, P 0.05).Furthermore, HRW could significantly increase the glutathione(GSH) contents(878.7 ± 76.73 mg/g protein vs 499.2 ± 48.87 mg/g protein) compared with the APAP treatment group.Meanwhile, HRW could reduce the inflammation level(serum TNF-α: 399.3 ± 45.50 pg/L vs 542.8 ± 22.38 pg/L, P 0.05; and serum IL-6: 1056 ± 77.01 pg/L vs 1565 ± 42.11 pg/L, P 0.01, respectively).In addition, HRW could inhibit 4-HNE, nitrotyrosine formation, JNK phosphorylation, connexin 32 and cytochrome P4502 E expression.Simultaneously, HRW could facilitate hepatocyte mitosis to promote liver regeneration.CONCLUSION: HRW has significant therapeutic potential in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation and promoting liver regeneration.     

Effects of sitagliptin treatment on hepatic fibrosis in type 2 diabetic mellitus rats via regulating autophagy

正Objective To investigate the regulatory effects of Sitagliptin on autophagy related protein in type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rats.Methods T2DM rat model was established by feeding them with high-fat diet and giving low-dose of streptozotocin 45 mg/kg intraperitoneally.After modeling, the rats were randomly divided into three groups:intragastric administration of 10 mg/kg sitagliptin (SGT group), intragastric administration of PBS