The metabolic function of hepatocytes differentiated from human mesenchymal stem cells is inversely related to cellular glutathione levels |
| |
| Authors: | Abdolamir Allameh Hamidreza Ahmadi‐Ashtiani Mohammad Sajad Emami Aleagha Hossein Rastegar |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran;2. Islamic Azad University, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran;3. Food and Drug Laboratories, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran |
| |
| Abstract: | ![]()
Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to hepatocytes‐like cells is associated with alteration in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense system. Here, we report the role of glutathione in the functions of hepatocytes derived from MSCs. The stem cells undergoing differentiation were treated with glutathione modifiers [buthionine sulfoxide (BSO) or N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC)], and hepatocytes were collected on day 14 of differentiation and analysed for their biological and metabolic functions. Differentiation process has been performed in presence of glutathione modifiers viz. BSO and NAC. Depending on the level of cellular glutathione, the proliferation rate of MSCs was affected. Glutathione depletion by BSO resulted in increased levels of albumin and ROS in hepatocytes. Whereas, albumin and ROS were inhibited in cells treated with glutathione precursor (NAC). The metabolic function of hepatocytes was elevated in BSO‐treated cells as judged by increased urea, transferrin, albumin, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase secretions in the media. However, the metabolic activity of the hepatocytes was inhibited when glutathione was increased by NAC. We conclude that the efficiency of metabolic function of hepatocytes is inversely related to the levels of cellular glutathione. These data may suggest a novel role of glutathione in regulation of metabolic function of hepatocytes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| |
| Keywords: | differentiation hepatocyte metabolism glutathione redox status mesenchymal stem cells reactive oxygen species |
|
|
