不同种类的脂肪酸对肝细胞脂质堆积的研究

目的：比较不同种类的脂肪酸对人肝癌细胞（HepG2）脂质堆积的影响。方法：HepG2细胞随机分为对照组（Con）、棕榈酸组（PA）、油酸组（OA）、亚油酸组（LA）和亚麻酸组（ALA）。培养24 h后,以MTT法比较不同种类脂肪酸对肝细胞存活率的影响;同一浓度下,以油红O染色法比较,各组细胞内脂滴生成情况拍照并测量吸光度;以酶学法检测各组细胞内甘油三酯含量比较不同种类脂肪酸对肝细胞脂质堆积的影响。结果：确定了每种脂肪酸诱导的浓度为50 μmol/L,同一浓度下,随着PA、OA、LA、ALA各组脂肪酸的不饱和度依次增加,PA、OA、LA、ALA各组细胞内脂滴依次增多,细胞内TG含量依次升高。与对照组相比,PA无统计学差异,OA存在显著性差异（P＜0.05）,而LA和ALA分别存在极显著性差异（P＜0.001）。且对每种脂肪酸诱导的肝细胞脂质堆积程度进行统计学分析,均存在显著性差异（P＜0.05）。结论：同一条件下,不同种类的脂肪酸对肝细胞活力和脂质堆积程度的影响不同,提示可能与脂肪酸的不饱和度有关,不饱和度越高的脂肪酸对细胞脂质堆积作用越明显。     

漏芦醇提取物对小鼠乳腺上皮细胞氧化损伤的缓解作用

摘要 目的：探讨漏芦乙醇提取物（RUEE）对脂多糖（LPS）诱导的小鼠乳腺上皮细胞氧化损伤发挥保护作用。方法：采用体外培养的小鼠乳腺上皮细胞系 HC11 为模型,首先利用MTT法筛选RUEE的最佳作用浓度及检测LPS和RUEE对细胞活力的影响,然后用1 μg?mL^-1 LPS单独处理,20、40、80 μg?mL^-1的RUEE与 1 μg?mL^-1 LPS 共处理 HC11细胞,检测氧化应激相关指标、抗氧化相关基因mRNA和蛋白表达的变化。结果：细胞活力实验确定20、40、80 μg?mL^-1的RUEE作为后续试验的添加浓度。LPS诱导可显著提高HC11细胞内丙二醛（MDA）含量、一氧化氮（NO）水平、一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）活性（P＜0.05）;明显降低超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GPx）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性和总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）（P＜0.05）;显著抑制核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）、血红素氧合酶1（HO-1）、NAD(P)H醌氧化还原酶1（NQO1）的mRNA及蛋白表达（P＜0.05）。20、40、80 μg?mL^-1的RUEE预处理后可明显下调LPS诱导的HC11细胞内MDA含量、NO水平及iNOS活性（P＜0.05）;显著提高SOD、GPx、CAT的活性及T-AOC（P＜0.05）;显著上调Nrf2、HO-1、NQO1 mRNA和蛋白表达（P＜0.05）。结论：RUEE可以有效减轻LPS诱导的乳腺上皮细胞氧化损伤,这可能与RUEE能激活乳腺上皮细胞Nrf2进而促进抗氧化基因的表达有关。     

硒对氧化应激诱导的胎盘滋养层细胞增殖与凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：检测硒（NaSe）对CoCl₂氧化应激诱导人胎盘滋养层细胞(JEG-3) 增殖与凋亡的影响及其可能机制。方法：体外培养JEG-3 细胞,在加入CoCl₂（500 μM）氧化应激诱导前先加入NaSe(100nM) 预处理24小时,MTT 实验检测硒对氧化应激JEG-3的增殖促进作用; 利用细胞流式术（FCM）检测硒对氧化应激JEG-3细胞凋亡的影响;用Western blot检测硒影响氧化应激JEG-3细胞增殖与凋亡的可能分子生物学机制。结果：MTT 提示硒能够增加氧化应激诱导的JEG-3细胞的增殖活性(P＜0.05) ,降低氧化应激JEG-3细胞凋亡率(P＜0.01) ,同时硒蛋白Gpx1表达上调(P＜0.05) ,脂质过氧化物MDA表达下降（P＜0.05）。结论：硒通过上调硒蛋白Gpx1 表达,降低脂质过氧化物MDA表达,进而降低氧化应激JEG-3细胞凋亡率而发挥其促进增殖活性,提示硒的补充对子痫前期的预防和治疗具有重要的意义。     

降浊四妙散通过降低血尿酸水平及抑制NLRP3炎症小体对大鼠高尿酸血症及其肾损伤的改善作用研究

摘要 目的：探究降浊四妙散通过降低血尿酸水平及抑制NLRP3炎症小体对大鼠高尿酸血症及其肾损伤的改善作用。方法：将28只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、氧酸钾（OA）模型组、OA+SMS组、OA+别嘌醇组,其中,SMS的剂量基于实验动物物质管理标准（每公斤体重成人剂量的10倍）;别嘌醇溶解在OA+别嘌醇组的饮用水中（浓度,150 mg/L）;对照组和OA组给予等量的蒸馏水（胃内容量控制在2 mL/d）,持续7周。探讨SMS对肾线粒体活性氧(ROS)和氧化应激(OS)产物、NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1轴的蛋白表达。结果：（1）对照组、OA模型和治疗组的数据存在显著差异（P<0.05）。在第7周结束时,模型组总尿酸排泄量显著高于对照组（P<0.05）,SZF组和别嘌醇组显著高于OA组（P<0.05）。（2）与对照组相比,OA组的BUN和Scr水平显著升高（P<0.05）,而接受SMS和别嘌醇治疗大鼠的BUN和Scr水平下降（P<0.05）。（3）肾组织结构中,对于OA+SZF和OA+别嘌呤醇组,肾近端肾小管上皮细胞肿胀、空泡变性和炎性细胞浸润减少。（4）OA诱导的高尿酸血症大鼠肾组织中氧化应激指标均升高（P＜0.05）;即超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶之间存在显著的不平衡,而SMS和别嘌醇干预可显著回复以上氧化应激反应指标的动态平衡（P＜0.05）。（5）OA组大鼠肾组织中TXNIP mRNA和蛋白表达显著高于其他组（P<0.05）,而SMS和别嘌醇有效抑制TXNIP mRNA 和蛋白表达（P<0.05）;高尿酸血症大鼠NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1 轴中的mRNA和蛋白质表达升高（P<0.05）。SMS干预后组NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1轴的激活显著被抑制（P<0.05）。结论：SMS通过降低高尿酸血症实验大鼠肾脏中血尿酸水平,进而减轻肾损害,同时其可抑制线粒体ROS触发的NLRP3炎性体激活来减轻肾小管损伤和炎症浸润。     

miR-29a对于膝关节骨性关节炎大鼠滑膜损伤中的保护作用研究

摘要 目的：探讨miR-29a对于膝关节骨性关节炎（KOA）大鼠滑膜损伤中的保护作用研究。方法：采用前交叉韧带横断法（ACLT）建立KOA大鼠模型。大鼠注射microRNA阴性对照和miR-29a。通过实时定量聚合酶链反应（RT-qPCR）检测KOA滑膜组织和滑膜细胞中miR-29a的表达。RT-qPCR和蛋白免疫印迹试验检测Toll样受体4/髓样分化蛋白88/核因子κB（TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB）信号通路相关蛋白的表达。检测KOA滑膜组织及滑膜细胞中炎症因子的表达水平。结果：KOA滑膜组织和滑膜细胞中miR-29a表达下调。上调miR-29a可抑制KOA大鼠滑膜细胞的炎症反应,促使KOA大鼠的TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB信号通路失活。结论：上调miR-29a可通过TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB信号通路失活化抑制KOA大鼠滑膜细胞炎症反应,从而保护滑膜损伤。     

小檗碱通过PTEN/Nrf2途径抑制胰岛βTC6氧化应激及细胞凋亡

摘要 目的：探讨小檗碱（Berberine,BBR）在棕榈酸（palmitic acid,PA）诱导的胰岛β细胞氧化应激及凋亡中的角色及分子机制。方法：BBR和PA单独或联合处理敲低PTEN的βTC6细胞,利用MTT、Caspase-3活性检测、流式细胞术、ROS含量检测、硝基酪氨酸定量等测定各实验分组的细胞凋亡程度并比较彼此氧化应激水平,利用定量PCR以及Western blotting检测PTEN、AMPK、Nrf2的表达变化。此外,我们还评估了BBR是否可以缓解糖尿病小鼠全身炎症状态和胰岛细胞凋亡,并再次验证了BBR对糖尿病小鼠的治疗效果。结果：BBR通过降低PTEN同时升高Nrf2的表达,进而减轻PA诱导胰岛βTC6细胞ROS以及硝基酪氨酸积累,降低PA诱导性Caspase-3升高。干扰PTEN表达可以与BBR发生协同效应,即协同降低氧化应激性凋亡。经动物实验发现BBR可明显降低糖尿病小鼠血糖以及血清IL-6水平,同时在转录水平降低小鼠胰腺PTEN并上调Nrf2,TUNEL实验发现BBR可以明显抑制糖尿病小鼠胰岛细胞凋亡,而二甲双胍（Metformin, Met）未发现抑制效应。结论：BBR通过下调PTEN并上调Nrf2的表达来发挥对PA引起的βTC6细胞氧化应激以及凋亡的保护作用,而沉默PTEN可反过来与BBR形成协同保护作用。BBR与MET治疗2型糖尿病的降糖效果没有差异性,但BBR可以额外地通过PTEN/Nrf2途径发挥抗炎及抗氧化应激作用。     

研究报告: 组织蛋白酶B介导NLRP3小体在砷致小胶质细胞炎症激活中的作用

目的 探究组织蛋白酶B（CTSB）介导NLRP3小体在砷致小胶质细胞（BV-2）炎症激活中的作用。方法 取处于对数生长期的BV-2细胞，分别暴露于终浓度为0、2、4、8 μmol/L亚砷酸钠（NaAsO₂）溶液培养24 h，检测细胞活性，测定各组细胞内CTSB和细胞焦亡相关蛋白NLRP3、Caspase-1、IL-18、IL-1β的表达水平。流式细胞仪检测胞内溶酶体膜稳定性。基于实验结果，增设CTSB抑制剂组（5 μmol/L CA074-Me +8 μmol/L NaAsO₂、10 μmol/L CA074-Me+8 μmol/L NaAsO₂），检测两组细胞内炎症相关蛋白NLRP3、Caspase-1和IL-1β、IL-18的表达水平。结果 与对照组比较，各染砷组细胞抑制率增高，呈现剂量效应关系，溶酶体膜稳定性下降，差异有统计学意义（P<0.01），胞内CTSB、NLRP3、IL-1β、IL-18、Caspase-1表达增高，差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）；与对照组（8 μmol/L NaAsO₂）比较，抑制剂组BV-2细胞胞内CTSB、NLRP3、IL-1β、IL-18、Caspase-1水平均降低，差异有统计学差异（P<0.01）。结论 NaAsO₂通过诱导小胶质细胞内CTSB水平的上升，介导NLRP3炎症小体激活小胶质细胞，促其释放炎性因子，致神经系统损伤。     

LINC00472参与TGF-β1诱导的HK-2细胞系纤维化和上皮间充质转化

摘要 目的：探讨长链非编码RNA LINC00472在肾纤维化细胞模型中的表达及其在TGF-β1诱导的肾小管上皮细胞纤维化和上皮间充质转化（EMT）中的功能作用。方法：使用重组人TGF-β1诱导人肾小管上皮细胞（HK-2）纤维化和EMT,采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测细胞中纤维化相关基因和LINC00472的mRNA表达水平,通过Western blot免疫印迹法检测细胞中纤维化相关基因的蛋白表达水平,通过划痕实验评估LINC00472表达对HK-2细胞迁移能力的影响。结果：TGF-β1能成功诱导HK-2细胞发生纤维化和EMT,并剂量和时间依赖性地抑制LINC00472的表达（P<0.05）。抑制LINC00472进一步促进TGF-β1诱导的Fibronectin和Vimentin上调,以及E-cadherin下调（P<0.05）;而过表达LINC00472则能逆转TGF-β1对纤维化相关基因的诱导作用（P<0.05）。此外,抑制LINC00472能进一步增强TGF-β1诱导的HK-2细胞迁移（P<0.05）,而上调LINC00472则使细胞迁移受到抑制（P<0.05）。结论：LINC00472在TGF-β1诱导的肾纤维化细胞模型中呈低表达,其表达水平的降低能促进细胞纤维化和EMT过程。     

大黄酸调节Ras/ERK信号通路对肝细胞癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

摘要 目的：探讨大黄酸调节大鼠肉瘤蛋白（Ras）/胞外信号调控激酶（ERK）信号通路对肝细胞癌（HCC）细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法：使用不同浓度（0、12.50、25、50、100、150、200 mol/L）大黄酸处理HepG2细胞,检测细胞活性,筛选最佳大黄酸浓度。将细胞分为对照组、大黄酸低、中、高浓度组、大黄酸高浓度+Ras/ERK激活剂组（大黄酸高浓度+ML-099组）,分别检测各组细胞集落形成数、划痕愈合率、细胞侵袭数和Ras、p-ERK、ERK蛋白表达。结果：大黄酸以浓度和时间依赖性降低HepG2细胞活性（P<0.05）,选用25、50、100 mol/L处理HepG2细胞24 h用于后续实验;与对照组比较,大黄酸低、中、高浓度组细胞集落形成数、G0/G1细胞比例、细胞划痕愈合率、细胞侵袭数和原癌基因（c-Myc）、细胞周期蛋白D1（CyclinD1）、Ras、p-ERK/ERK蛋白表达呈浓度依赖性降低,S期和G2/M细胞比例、p53蛋白表达呈浓度依赖性增加（P<0.05）;与大黄酸高浓度组比较,大黄酸高浓度+ML-099组细胞集落形成数、G0/G1细胞比例、细胞划痕愈合率、细胞侵袭数和c-Myc、CyclinD1、Ras、p-ERK/ERK蛋白表达显著增加,S期和G2/M细胞比例、p53蛋白表达显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：大黄酸可能通过抑制Ras/ERK信号通路抑制HCC细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

Sfrp1通过阻断Wnt信号通路减轻血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的心脏损伤并促进自噬的研究

摘要 目的：本研究旨在评估Sfrp1在血管紧张素II诱导的心肌肥厚中的心脏保护作用，并探讨其与自噬和Wnt信号通路相关的可能机制。方法：利用重组AAV9载体将Sfrp1导入Ang II诱导的肥厚型H9C2心肌细胞。用CCK8测定细胞活力。流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率。用显微照片记录肥厚细胞大小的变化。western blot检测Sfrp1、Bcl-2、Bax、CytC、Caspase-3、P62、ATG5、Beclin、LC3、β-catenin和DVL1的蛋白表达。通过qRT-PCR检测β-连环蛋白和DVL1的mRNA表达。自噬抑制剂3-MA也用于验证治疗过程中自噬的参与。结果：（1）Sfrp1成功转染H9C2细胞，其过度表达减轻了心肌肥厚。（2）经过AAV9-Sfrp1预处理可减少肥厚心肌的细胞凋亡，可逆转Ang II组自噬相关蛋白（p62、ATG5、Beclin、LC3）的表达；（3）自噬在治疗心肌肥厚过程中的作用通过可自噬抑制剂3-MA来证实。（4）激活的Wnt信号（β-连环蛋白，DVL1）也被AAV9-Sfrp1抑制。结论：Sfrp1通过Wnt信号通路促进细胞自噬，从而保护心肌细胞免受肥厚性损伤和凋亡，这为Sfrp1对心肌肥厚的心肌保护作用机制提供了一个重要的视角。     

Oleic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Reverse Palmitic Acid-induced Insulin Resistance in Human HepG2 Cells via the Reactive Oxygen Species/JUN Pathway

Oleic acid (OA), a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), has previously been shown to reverse saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (PA)-induced hepatic insulin resistance (IR). However, its underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. In addition, previous studies have shown that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), reverses PA-induced muscle IR, but whether EPA plays the same role in hepatic IR and its possible mechanism involved need to be further clarified. Here, we confirmed that EPA reversed PA-induced IR in HepG2 cells and compared the proteomic changes in HepG2 cells after treatment with different free fatty acids (FFAs). A total of 234 proteins were determined to be differentially expressed after PA+OA treatment. Their functions were mainly related to responses to stress and endogenous stimuli, lipid metabolic process, and protein binding. For PA+EPA treatment, the PA-induced expression changes of 1326 proteins could be reversed by EPA, 415 of which were mitochondrial proteins, with most of the functional proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Mechanistic studies revealed that the protein encoded by JUN and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in OA- and EPA-reversed PA-induced IR, respectively. EPA and OA alleviated PA-induced abnormal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, ROS generation, and calcium (Ca²⁺) content. Importantly, H₂O₂-activated production of ROS increased the protein expression of JUN, further resulting in IR in HepG2 cells. Taken together, we demonstrate that ROS/JUN is a common response pathway employed by HepG2 cells toward FFA-regulated IR.     

Network pharmacology-based identification of significant pathway for protection of Yinhuang granule in a mice model of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease

BackgroundMetabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a spectrum of liver disorders. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is defined as a more serious process of MAFLD with liver inflammation.PurposeThis study aims to observe the alleviation of Yinhuang granule (YHG), a Chinese patent medicine, on methionine and choline-deficient diet (MCD)-induced MAFLD in mice.MethodsNetwork pharmacology was used to analyze the improving effect of YHG on MAFLD and possible targets. MAFLD was induced in mice by MCD diet feeding for 6 weeks. In the last 2 weeks, the mice were orally given with YHG (400, 800 mg/kg) every day. Biochemical parameters of serum and liver, as well as hepatic gene expression were detected.ResultsNetwork pharmacology showed that YHG could improve MAFLD, inflammation, liver fibrosis, and oxidative stress. In animal experiments, YHG reduced hepatocellular damage and hepatic lipids accumulation which induced by MCD. In terms of liver inflammation, YHG attenuated MCD-induced liver inflammation in mice. YHG also inhibited the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and alleviated liver fibrosis in MCD-fed mice. Through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, YHG alleviated liver oxidative stress injury in mice which induced by MCD.ConclusionYHG ameliorated MCD-induced MAFLD in mice by reducing hepatic lipids accumulation, alleviating liver oxidative, inflammatory injury and attenuating hepatic fibrosis.     

Effects of different fatty acids on BRL3A rat liver cell damage

To evaluate the effects of fatty acids on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, and lipid damage. We treated BRL3A rat liver cells with, linoleic (LA), linolenic, oleic (OA), palmitic (PA), palmitoleic (POA), or stearic (SA) acid for 12 hr. The characteristics of cell lipid deposition, oxidative stress indexes, ER stress markers, nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65), lipid synthesis and transport regulators, and cholesterol metabolism regulators were analyzed. Endoplasmic chaperones like glucose-regulated protein 78, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein, NF-κB p65, hydrogen peroxide, and malonaldehyde in PA- and SA-treated cells were significantly higher than in other treated cells. Deposition of fatty acids especially LA and POA were significantly increased than in other treated cells. De novo lipogenesis regulators sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (ACC1) expression were significantly increased in all fatty acid stimulation groups, and PA- and SA-treated cells showed lower p-ACC1 expression and higher scd1 expression than other fatty acid groups. Very low-density lipoprotein synthesis and apolipoprotein B100 expression in free fatty acids treated cells were significantly lower than control. PA, SA, OA, and POA had shown significantly increased cholesterol synthesis than other treated cells. PA and SA showed the lower synthesis of cytochrome P7A1 and total bile acids than other fatty acids treated cells. Excess of saturated fatty acids led to severe ER and oxidative stress. Excess unsaturated fatty acids led to increased lipid deposition in cultured hepatocytes. A balanced fatty acid intake is needed to maintain lipid homeostasis.     

Inhibition of MD2‐dependent inflammation attenuates the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress to the more serious non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by inflammatory injury and fibrosis. The pathogenic basis of NAFLD progressing to NASH is currently unknown, but growing evidence suggests MD2 (myeloid differentiation factor 2), an accessory protein of TLR4, is an important signalling component contributing to this disease. We evaluated the effectiveness of the specific MD2 inhibitor, L6H21, in reducing inflammatory liver injury in a relevant high‐fat diet (HFD) mouse model of NASH and in the palmitic acid (PA)‐stimulated human liver cell line (HepG2). For study, genetic knockout (MD2^?/?) mice were fed a HFD or control diet for 24 weeks, or wild‐type mice placed on a similar diet regimen and treated with L6H21 for the last 8 or 16 weeks. Results indicated that MD2 inhibition with L6H21 was as effective as MD2 knockout in preventing the HFD‐induced hepatic lipid accumulation, pro‐fibrotic changes and expression of pro‐inflammatory molecules. Direct challenge of HepG2 with PA (200 μM) increased MD2‐TLR4 complex formation and expression of pro‐inflammatory and pro‐fibrotic genes and L6H21 pre‐treatment prevented these PA‐induced responses. Interestingly, MD2 knockout or L6H21 increased expression of the anti‐inflammatory molecule, PPARγ, in liver tissue and the liver cell line. Our results provide further evidence for the critical role of MD2 in the development of NASH and conclude that MD2 could be a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD/NASH treatment. Moreover, the small molecule MD2 inhibitor, L6H21, was an effective and selective investigative agent for future mechanistic studies of MD2.     

Downregulation of sirtuin 3 by palmitic acid increases the oxidative stress,impairment of mitochondrial function,and apoptosis in liver cells

Elevated levels of saturated fatty acids show a strong cytotoxic effect in liver cells. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a mitochondrially localized member of NAD⁺‐dependent deacetylase has been shown to protect hepatocytes against the oxidative stress. The role of SIRT3 on the cytotoxicity caused by fatty acids in liver cells is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression level of SIRT3, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial impairments in human hepatoma HepG2 cells exposed to palmitic acid (PA). Our results showed that PA treatment caused the deposition of lipid droplets and resulted in an increased expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α in a dose‐dependent manner. Excessive accumulation of PA induces the reactive oxygen species formation and apoptosis while dissipating the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. The level of SIRT3 expression in both nuclear and mitochondrial fractions in HepG2 cells was decreased with the increase in PA concentrations. However, in the cytosolic fraction, the SIRT3 was undetectable. In conclusion, our results showed that PA caused an increase in inflammation and oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. The exposure of PA also resulted in the decline in transmembrane potential and an increase in apoptosis. The underexpression of nuclear and mitochondrial SIRT3 by PA suggests that the PA target the process that regulates the stress‐related gene expression and mitochondrial functions.     

Regulation of human lymphocyte proliferation by fatty acids

In the present study, the effect of increasing concentrations of palmitic (PA, C16:0), stearic (SA, C18:0), oleic (OA, C18:1, n-9), linoleic (LA, C18:2n-6), docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22:6 n-3) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20:5 n-3) acids on lymphocyte proliferation was investigated. The maximal non-toxic concentrations of these fatty acids for human lymphocytes in vitro were determined. It was also evaluated whether these fatty acids at non-toxic concentrations affect IL-2 induced lymphocyte proliferation and cell cycle progression. OA and LA at 25 microM increased lymphocyte proliferation and at higher concentrations (75 microM and 100 microM) inhibited it. Both fatty acids promoted cell death at 200 microM concentration. PA and SA decreased lymphocyte proliferation at 50 microM and promoted cell death at concentrations of 100 microM and above. EPA and DHA decreased lymphocyte proliferation at 25 and 50 microM being toxic at 50 and 100 microM, respectively. PA, SA, DHA and EPA decreased the stimulatory effect of IL-2 on lymphocyte proliferation, increasing the percentage of cells in G1 phase and decreasing the proportion of cells in S and G2/M phases. OA and LA caused an even greater pronounced effect. The treatment with all fatty acids increased neutral lipid accumulation in the cells but the effect was more pronounced with PA and DHA. In conclusion, PA, SA, DHA and EPA decreased lymphocyte proliferation, whereas OA and LA stimulated it at non-toxic concentrations.     

HepG2细胞中线粒体形状的动态变化

目的:研究HepG2细胞中线粒体形状动态变化过程中的功能变化及其初步分子机制。方法:HepG2细胞经过HBSS缓冲液饥饿处理后,使用线粒体氧化磷酸化解偶联剂CCCP、脂肪酸受体GPR40/120激动剂GW9508、脂肪酸油酸OA和钙离子载体Ionomycin等4种不同药物处理,通过共聚焦显微镜观察和流式细胞分析的手段检测细胞中线粒体形状和功能发生的改变。然后,通过基因沉默Drp1,Mff或者Fis1蛋白,初步研究调控线粒体形状改变的分子机制。结果:经过CCCP和GW9508处理细胞中产生甜甜圈线粒体,而OA和Ionomycin处理产生球状线粒体。CCCP,OA和Ionomycin使线粒体去极化,CCCP、GW9508、OA或者Ionomycin单独处理在一定程度上影响细胞中活性氧化簇ROS。甜甜圈线粒体产生由Drp1介导,而球状线粒体形成依赖于Drp1和Mff。结论:线粒体的形态与其功能相互联系,Drp1和Mff蛋白对于细胞线粒体形状动态改变过程中形状的调整和适应具有很重要的作用。     

Enteric Neuropathy Can Be Induced by High Fat Diet In Vivo and Palmitic Acid Exposure In Vitro

Objective

Obese and/or diabetic patients have elevated levels of free fatty acids and increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal symptoms. Since the enteric nervous system is pivotal in regulating gastrointestinal functions alterations or neuropathy in the enteric neurons are suspected to occur in these conditions. Lipid induced intestinal changes, in particular on enteric neurons, were investigated in vitro and in vivo using primary cell culture and a high fat diet (HFD) mouse model.

Design

Mice were fed normal or HFD for 6 months. Intestines were analyzed for neuronal numbers, remodeling and lipid accumulation. Co-cultures of myenteric neurons, glia and muscle cells from rat small intestine, were treated with palmitic acid (PA) (0 – 10⁻³ M) and / or oleic acid (OA) (0 – 10⁻³ M), with or without modulators of intracellular lipid metabolism. Analyses were by immunocyto- and histochemistry.

Results

HFD caused substantial loss of myenteric neurons, leaving submucous neurons unaffected, and intramuscular lipid accumulation in ileum and colon. PA exposure in vitro resulted in neuronal shrinkage, chromatin condensation and a significant and concentration-dependent decrease in neuronal survival; OA exposure was neuroprotective. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 inhibition, L-carnitine- or alpha lipoic acid supplementation all counteracted PA-induced neuronal loss. PA or OA alone both caused a significant and concentration-dependent loss of muscle cells in vitro. Simultaneous exposure of PA and OA promoted survival of muscle cells and increased intramuscular lipid droplet accumulation. PA exposure transformed glia from a stellate to a rounded phenotype but had no effect on their survival.

Conclusions

HFD and PA exposure are detrimental to myenteric neurons. Present results indicate excessive palmitoylcarnitine formation and exhausted L-carnitine stores leading to energy depletion, attenuated acetylcholine synthesis and oxidative stress to be main mechanisms behind PA-induced neuronal loss.High PA exposure is suggested to be a factor in causing diabetic neuropathy and gastrointestinal dysregulation.     

Geniposide alleviates non‐alcohol fatty liver disease via regulating Nrf2/AMPK/mTOR signalling pathways

Non‐alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease which causes serious liver damage. Geniposide (GEN), a kind of iridoid glycoside extracted from Gardenia jasminoides fruit, has many biological effects, such as resistance to cell damage and anti‐neurodegenerative disorder. Lipid accumulation was obvious in tyloxapol‐induced liver and oil acid (OA) with palmitic acid (PA)‐induced HepG2 cells compared with the control groups while GEN improved the increasing conditions. GEN significantly lessened the total cholesterol (TC), the triglyceride (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), myeloperoxidase (MPO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD) to response the oxidative stress via activating nuclear factor erythroid‐2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), haeme oxygenase (HO)‐1 and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)α which may influence the phosphorylation of adenosine 5’‐monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway in mice and cells. Additionally, GEN evidently decreased the contents of sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins (SREBP)‐1c, phosphorylation (P)‐mechanistic target of rapamycin complex (mTORC), P‐S6K, P‐S6 and high mobility group protein (HMGB) 1 via inhibiting the expression of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), and these were totally abrogated in Nrf2^?/? mice. Our study firstly proved the protective effect of GEN on lipid accumulation via enhancing the ability of antioxidative stress and anti‐inflammation which were mostly depend on up‐regulating the protein expression of Nrf2/HO‐1 and AMPK signalling pathways, thereby suppressed the phosphorylation of mTORC and its related protein.     

Extracts of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits improve liver steatosis and injury in mice by preventing lipid accumulation and cell death

ABSTRACT

Bilberry has been reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the effect of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits extracts (BEs) on the pathogenesis caused by lipid accumulation in fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). 5 μg/ml of BEs was enough to suppress lipid accumulation in the fatty liver model of the mouse hepatic AML12 cells. BEs increased cell viability and anti-oxidant capacity, presumably by activating (phosphorylating) Akt/STAT3 and inducing MnSOD/catalase. BEs also significantly reduced Rubicon and induced p62/SQSTM1, possibly contributing to reduce cellular lipids (lipophagy). When the mice were fed supplemented with BEs (5% or 10%, w/w), hepatic steatosis, injury, and hypercholesterolemia/hyperglycemia were significantly improved. Furthermore, histological and cytokine studies indicated that BEs possibly suppress hepatic inflammation (hepatitis) and fibrosis. Therefore, BEs improved liver steatosis and injury, and potentially suppress fibrosis by suppressing inflammatory response, which therefore may prevent the progression of fatty liver to NASH.