scholarly journals Hepatoprotective Effect and Potential Mechanism of Aqueous Extract from Phyllanthus emblica on Carbon-Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Kehuan Yin ◽  
Xuedong Li ◽  
Xiaomin Luo ◽  
Yuru Sha ◽  
Puyang Gong ◽  
...  

Liver fibrosis is a pathological variation caused by almost all chronic liver injuries. As an edible and medicinal natural resource, Phyllanthus emblica (PE) has been reported to possess hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities and may have an ameliorating effect on hepatic fibrosis. To investigate the protective effect of the aqueous extract of PE (AEPE) against liver fibrosis and to uncover its related mechanisms, the chemical profile of AEPE was characterized by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and sulfuric acid-phenol method. Ameliorative effects of different doses of AEPE were investigated in carbon-tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced liver fibrosis rats by analyzing biochemical markers, morphologic pathology, and related proteins expression in liver tissue. The results indicated that AEPE (1.8, 3.6 g/kg) could significantly reduce levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), collagen IV (Col IV), type III precollagen (PCIII), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hydroxyproline (Hyp) and increase the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT). Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Sirius red, and Masson staining showed AEPE-treated improved fibrotic lesions and inflammatory cell infiltration. Meanwhile, AEPE treatment also significantly downregulates the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the liver tissue and serum, respectively. In conclusion, AEPE possesses curative efficacy against liver fibrosis through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects.

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (12) ◽  
pp. 1308-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heba M. Mansour ◽  
Abeer A.A. Salama ◽  
Rania M. Abdel-Salam ◽  
Naglaa A. Ahmed ◽  
Noha N. Yassen ◽  
...  

Liver fibrosis is a health concern that leads to organ failure mediated via production of inflammatory cytokines and fibrotic biomarkers. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. Fibrosis was induced by administration of TAA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) twice weekly for 6 weeks. Serum transaminases activities, liver inflammatory cytokines, fibrotic biomarkers, and liver histopathology were assessed. TAA induced marked histopathological changes in liver tissues coupled with elevations in serum transaminases activities. Furthermore, hepatic content of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 beta were elevated, together with a reduction of interleukin-10 in the liver. In addition, TAA increased hepatic contents of transforming growth factor-beta, hydroxyproline, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and gene expression of collagen-1. Pretreatment with tadalafil protected against TAA-induced liver fibrosis, in a dose-dependent manner, as proved by the alleviation of inflammatory and fibrotic biomarkers. The effects of tadalafil were comparable with that of silymarin, a natural antioxidant, and could be assigned to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (12) ◽  
pp. 1639-1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Chhimwal ◽  
S Sharma ◽  
P Kulurkar ◽  
V Patial

Background: Liver fibrosis is a chronic pathological condition with a leading cause of liver-related mortality worldwide. In the present study, we have evaluated the antifibrotic effect of crocin, a carotenoid present in the stigma of Crocus sativus, and also explored its putative mechanism of action. Methods: Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 30% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The crocin was administered orally at 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight along with CCl4 up to 8 weeks. Results: Chronic exposure to CCl4 resulted in elevated levels of liver enzymes and reduced cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity in the liver. The liver tissue showed cellular swelling, vacuolization, necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrotic changes. The crocin treatment significantly lowered the levels of liver enzymes in serum and improved the liver CYP2E1 mRNA levels. The pathological changes in the liver were also lowered by crocin treatment. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α and fibrogenic factor, transforming growth factor β, and α-smooth muscle actin were elevated by the CCl4 in the liver tissue. However, crocin treatment at different doses significantly reduced the expression of these factors. The increased caspase 3/7 activity was also lowered by crocin. CCl4 administration decreased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) in liver tissue. The improved PPAR-γ expression in the liver by crocin treatment indicates its role in the therapeutic effect of crocin. Conclusions: Crocin attenuated the various events in the progression of liver fibrosis via PPAR-γ mediated modulation of inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways.


Author(s):  
Maaly Abd Elmaaboud ◽  
Haidy Khattab ◽  
Shahinaz Shalaby

The current study aimed to investigate linagliptin for its potential role in the prevention of liver fibrosis progression. Balb-C mice were randomly allocated into 5 groups (10 each), (1) control, (2) mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 μl carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in corn oil in a dose of 0.6 μl /g 3 times a week for 4 weeks, (3) linagliptin was orally administered in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day simultaneously with CCl4, (4) silymarin was orally in a dose of 200 mg/kg/day concomitantly with CCl4, (5) linagliptin only. Hepatic injury was manifested in CCl4 group by elevation of biochemical parameters; alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hepatic fibrosis was evident histopathologically by increased METAVIR score and immunostaining expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), also, increased liver tissue oxidative stress parameters, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Linagliptin was able to stop the progression of liver fibrosis; evident histopathologically with reduced METAVIR score and α-SMA expression. The possible mechanism may be via suppression of oxidative stress, TGF-β1, and mTOR, this was associated with improvement of serum biochemical parameters; ALT and AST. In conclusion, linagliptin might help to protect the liver against persistent injury-related consequences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha M. Shouman ◽  
Rania M. Abdelsalam ◽  
Mahmoud M. Tawfick ◽  
Sanaa A. Kenawy ◽  
Mona M. El-Naa

Tissue factor (TF) is a blood coagulation factor that has several roles in many non-coagulant pathways involved in different pathological conditions such as angiogenesis, inflammation and fibrogenesis. Coagulation and inflammation are crosslinked with liver fibrosis where protease-activated receptor1 (PAR1) and toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) play a key role. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides are strong modulators of gene expression. In the present study, antisense TF oligodeoxynucleotides (TFAS) was evaluated in treating liver fibrosis via suppression of TF gene expression. Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by a single administration of N-diethyl nitrosamine (DEN, 200 mg/kg; i. p.) followed by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 3 ml/kg; s. c.) once weekly for 6 weeks. Following fibrosis induction, liver TF expression was significantly upregulated along with liver enzymes activities and liver histopathological deterioration. Alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-1beta (TGF-1β) expression, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and hydroxyproline content and collagen deposition were significantly elevated in the liver. Blocking of TF expression by TFAS injection (2.8 mg/kg; s. c.) once weekly for 6 weeks significantly restored liver enzymes activities and improved histopathological features along with decreasing the elevated α-SMA, TGF-1β, TNF-α, hydroxyproline and collagen. Moreover, TFAS decreased the expression of both PAR1 and TLR4 that were induced by liver fibrosis. In conclusion, we reported that blockage of TF expression by TFAS improved inflammatory and fibrotic changes associated with CCl4+DEN intoxication. In addition, we explored the potential crosslink between the TF, PAR1 and TLR4 in liver fibrogenesis. These findings offer a platform on which recovery from liver fibrosis could be mediated through targeting TF expression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Shaozhan Wang ◽  
Rong Wang ◽  
Shengnan Li ◽  
Yongfang Yuan

Reversible liver fibrosis is the consequence of diverse liver injuries. Oxidative stress combined with inflammation is the primary cause of carbon tetrachloride- (CCl4-) induced liver fibrosis. Neferine is a bibenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid, which has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The present study attempted to find its antiliver fibrosis effect and explore the potential mechanism to relieve oxidative stress and inflammation in rats with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Herein, we found that neferine noticeably mitigated fibrosis and improved liver function. Furthermore, neferine increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and catalase (CAT), but decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). Neferine also decreased the levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and inflammatory factors. These results may demonstrate that neferine could effectively inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation in liver fibrosis. To account for the potential mechanism by which neferine relieves oxidative stress and inflammation in liver fibrosis rats, immunohistochemistry analyses and western blotting were performed. The results showed that neferine inhibited the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, as evidenced by the reduced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK 1/2, and JNK. And it inhibited the nuclear factor- (NF-) κB/IκBα pathway, as evidenced by preventing the translocation of NF-κB into nuclei. Our findings indicated a protective role for neferine, acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (05) ◽  
pp. 1061-1074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiamei Chen ◽  
Xuewei Li ◽  
Yonghong Hu ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
Qun Zhou ◽  
...  

Gypenosides (GPs), the predominant components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, exert antifibrotic effects; however, the mechanisms underlying their ability to ameliorate liver fibrosis are unclear. Liver fibrosis was induced in C57BL/6 mice via subcutaneous injection of 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCl[Formula: see text] three times a week for two weeks. Then, CCl4 was administered in conjunction with intragastric GPs for another three weeks. For in vitro analyses, WB-F344, hepatatic progenitor cells (HPCs) were treated with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-[Formula: see text]1) with or without GPs for 48[Formula: see text]h. The results showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activity, deposition of collagen, hydroxyproline content, and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin ([Formula: see text]-SMA) and collagen type I (Col I) were significantly decreased after treatment with GPs ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). In the 5M CCl4 group, the expression of HPC markers, Sox9 and cytokeratin 19 (CK19), was significantly increased compared with the normal or GPs-treated group ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]). Immunostaining showed that the number of Sox9 and [Formula: see text]-SMA double-positive cells was higher in the 5M CCl4 group than in the normal group, but the addition of GPs caused this cell number to decrease. In WB-F344 cells, the expression of [Formula: see text]-SMA and Col I was significantly increased after treatment with TGF-[Formula: see text], whereas in the GPs treatment group, expression was markedly decreased ([Formula: see text]). The levels of TGF-[Formula: see text] and TGF-[Formula: see text]R1 were markedly reduced after GPs treatment both in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, GPs ameliorated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis via the inhibition of TGF-[Formula: see text] signaling, consequently inhibiting the differentiation of HPCs into myofibroblasts.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Isabela A. Finamor ◽  
Caroline A. Bressan ◽  
Isabel Torres-Cuevas ◽  
Sergio Rius-Pérez ◽  
Marcelo da Veiga ◽  
...  

Background: Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in foods and beverages worldwide. However, it is linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver damage through mechanisms that are not fully elucidated yet. This work aimed to investigate the effects of long-term administration of aspartame on the oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms associated with liver fibrosis progression in mice. Methods: Mice were divided into two groups with six animals each: control and aspartame. Aspartame (80 mg/kg, via oral) or vehicle was administrated for 12 weeks. Results: Aspartame caused liver damage and elevated serum transaminase levels. Aspartame also generated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by histology analysis, and pro-fibrotic markers’ upregulation, including transforming growth factor β 1, collagen type I alpha 1, and alpha-smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, aspartame reduced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation and enzymatic antioxidant activity and increased lipid peroxidation, which triggered NOD-like receptor containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and p53 induction. Furthermore, aspartame reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) levels, possibly through p53 activation. This PGC-1α deficiency could be responsible for the changes in lipid profile in serum, total lipid accumulation, and gluconeogenesis impairment in liver, evidenced by the gluconeogenic enzymes’ downregulation, thus causing hypoglycemia. Conclusions: This work provides new insights to understand the mechanisms related to the adverse effects of aspartame on liver tissue.


2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 779-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazem Abd-Elgawad ◽  
Nashwa Abu-Elsaad ◽  
Amr El-Karef ◽  
Tarek Ibrahim

Piceatannol is a polyphenolic analog of resveratrol that selectively inhibits the non-receptor tyrosine kinase-Syk. This study investigates the potential ability of piceatannol to attenuate liver fibrosis and protect hepatocytes from injury. Thioacetamide was injected in adult male mice (100 mg/kg, i.p., 3 times/week) for 8 weeks. Piceatannol (1 or 5 mg/kg per day) was administered by oral gavage during the last 4 weeks. Liver function biomarkers, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), cytokeratin-18 (CK18), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured. Necroinflammation, fibrosis, expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were scored by histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry. Obtained results showed ability of piceatannol (1 mg/kg) to restore liver function and reduce inflammation. It significantly (p < 0.001) reduced MDA, CK18, TGF-β1, and α-SMA expression, and increased HGF and IL-10. It can be concluded that piceatannol at low dose can inhibit TGF-β1 induced hepatocytes apoptosis and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect attenuating fibrosis progression.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 2111-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Bing Hu ◽  
Xiao-Ting Ye ◽  
Qing-Qing Zhou ◽  
Rong-Quan Fu

Background/Aims: Sestrin 2 is associated with the pathophysiology of several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Sestrin 2 in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrogenesis. Methods: In this study, Sestrin 2 protein expression was detected in rat HSC-T6 cells challenged with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a well-known model of hepatic fibrosis. Next, HSC-T6 cells and fibrotic mice were transfected with lentivirus. The mRNA expression levels of markers of liver fibrosis [alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen 1A1 (Col1A1)] were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell death and proliferation were evaluated by the MTT assay, and biochemical markers of liver damage in serum [alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST)] were also measured using a biochemical analyzer. Histopathological examination was used to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis, and protein expression [phospho-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), AMPK, phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), and mTOR] was determined by western blotting. Results: We found that Sestrin 2 was elevated in both the HSC-T6 cell and hepatic fibrosis models. In vitro, overexpression of Sestrin 2 attenuated the mRNA levels of α-SMA and Col1A1, suppressed α-SMA protein expression, and modulated HSC-T6 cell proliferation. In vivo, overexpression of Sestrin 2 reduced the ALT and AST levels as well as the α-SMA and Col1A1 protein expression in the CCl4 model of liver fibrosis. Moreover, the degree of liver fibrosis was ameliorated. Interestingly, overexpression of Sestrin 2 increased p-AMPK but decreased p-mTOR protein expression. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Sestrin 2 may attenuate the activation of HSCs and ameliorate liver fibrosis, most likely via upregulation of AMPK phosphorylation and suppression of the mTOR signaling pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-131
Author(s):  
Doha M. Beltagy ◽  
Khloud Gamal Abdelsalam ◽  
Tarek M Mohamed ◽  
Mai M. El-Keey

Liver cirrhosis is currently the 11th most common cause of death which includes inflammatory, oxidative damage, and immune response. Harmaline has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms which can defeat against hepatic cirrhosis pathways. The present work aimed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of harmaline against liver cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide in mice. The study was carried out on sixty male mice divided into three main groups. Control and harmaline groups (GIa and GIb), thioacetamide-group (GII) and harmaline co-treated and treated groups (GIIIa and GIIIb). By the end of the experiment, adiponectin concentrations were measured in serum and liver tissue. Gene expression of adiponectin, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), tissue inhibitor metalloprotease-1(TIMP-1) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) were assessed. Some oxidative stress biomarkers as malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide were determined. The results indicated that harmaline administration cause significant suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory response.Inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition were also noticed with a significant decrease in the expression of the profibrotic markers(TGF-β1 and TIMP-1) which have direct effects on adiponectin activation. These results were confirmed by the histological studies in liver tissue. In Conclusion,Harmaline has excellent protective role against liver cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide in mice via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.It can be therapeutically used as a safe liver support by a dose of 10 mg/kg after furtherin vivo studies.


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