ATP- and ATP+ ubiquitin-stimulated proteolysis in rat liver and Yoshida ascites hepatoma.

To gain insight into the activity of cytosolic proteases in tumors, the ATP-dependent proteolysis of cell sap and the ATP- and ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of Fraction II (a cytosolic subfraction freed of endogenous ubiquitin) were measured in the anaplastic Yoshida ascites hepatoma AH 130. Hepatoma cell sap showed only low, although significant, ATP-stimulated proteolysis, as best seen by comparisons with rat liver made on the basis of wet weight. Much of the basal proteolytic activity of cell sap and of its subfraction enriched in high Mr complexes (Fraction X) peaked near 18S in sucrose gradients. In contrast with cell sap, Fraction II from hepatoma degraded [14C]methylcasein more efficiently than Fraction II from normal liver, but the activities for liver and tumor did not differ on a wet weight basis. Altered polypeptide patterns shown by SDS-PAGE in the Yoshida hepatoma suggested that some abundant hepatoma-specific cytosolic protein might interfere with degradation of the [14C]methylcasein by hepatoma.     

Improved Hypolipidemic Effects of Xanthan Gum-Galactomannan Mixtures in Rats

This study describes the effects of mixtures of xanthan gum and galactomannan, guar gum, or locust bean gum, on the lipids in plasma and liver in non-diabetic and diabetic rats. Non-diabetic rats were fed cholesterol-free diets with 3% guar gum, locust bean gum, or xanthan gum (3G, 3L, and 3X), or a mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum or locust bean gum (1:2, w/w) (2G1X, 2L1X) for 2 weeks. Rats fed diets not containing these polysaccharides were used as controls. The total cholesterol in plasma and the triacylglycerol in liver were significantly lowered in rats fed the 2G1X diet. The 3G, 3X, 3L, and 2L1X diets showed no significant effect on the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in plasma and liver. In the streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats, the total cholesterol in plasma was lowered in rats fed the 3G, 3X or 2G1X diet for 4 weeks, and the 2G1X diet was more effective than the 3G and 3X diets. The triacylglycerol in plasma in STZ diabetic rats was also significantly lowered by the 2G1X diet. These results showed that a mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum has an improved hypolipidemic effect on non-diabetic and STZ diabetic rats. The effects of the 2G1X diet on the diabetic symptoms in STZ diabetic rats, suppression of food and water intakes, decrease in glucose in urine, and lowering of plasma glucose, were also observed.     

Improved hypolipidemic effects of xanthan gum-galactomannan mixtures in rats

This study describes the effects of mixtures of xanthan gum and galactomannan, guar gum, or locust bean gum, on the lipids in plasma and liver in non-diabetic and diabetic rats. Non-diabetic rats were fed cholesterol-free diets with 3% guar gum, locust bean gum, or xanthan gum (3G, 3L, and 3X), or a mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum or locust bean gum (1:2, w/w) (2G1X, 2L1X) for 2 weeks. Rats fed diets not containing these polysaccharides were used as controls. The total cholesterol in plasma and the triacylglycerol in liver were significantly lowered in rats fed the 2G1X diet. The 3G, 3X, 3L, and 2L1X diets showed no significant effect on the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in plasma and liver. In the streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats, the total cholesterol in plasma was lowered in rats fed the 3G, 3X or 2G1X diet for 4 weeks, and the 2G1X diet was more effective than the 3G and 3X diets. The triacylglycerol in plasma in STZ diabetic rats was also significantly lowered by the 2G1X diet. These results showed that a mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum has an improved hypolipidemic effect on non-diabetic and STZ diabetic rats. The effects of the 2G1X diet on the diabetic symptoms in STZ diabetic rats, suppression of food and water intakes, decrease in glucose in urine, and lowering of plasma glucose, were also observed.     

Induction of aconitate hydratase in hepatocytes of starving rats

Induction of the activity of aconitate hydratase (AH) was observed in rat hepatocytes under the conditions of food deprivation. The increase in AH activity after 4 days of starvation in the studied tissues was from 0.57 to 2.05 U/g crude liver weight. The induction of aconitase was associated both with the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial AH isoforms. The activities of cytosolic and mitochondrial AH isoforms in starving animals consisted of 83 and 17% of the total activity, respectively. The cytoplasmic and mitochondrial isoforms of the enzyme with specific activities 11.1 and 6.13 U/mg protein, respectively, were obtained by a five-step purification procedure that included fractionation with ammonium sulfate, ion-exchanging chromatography on DEAE-Toyopearl and gel filtration. The purified preparations of these AH isoforms were electrophoretically homogenous. The molecular weights of these isoforms were estimated and several kinetic and regulatory properties were studied.     

Enhanced amyloidogenic metabolism of the amyloid beta-protein precursor in the X11L-deficient mouse brain

X11L, a neuronal adaptor protein, associates with the cytoplasmic domain of APP and suppresses APP cellular metabolism. APP is the precursor of Abeta, whose metabolism is strongly implicated in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. To examine the roles of X11L function in APP metabolism, including the generation of Abeta in the brain, we produced X11L-deficient mutant mice on the C57BL/6 background. The mutant mice did not exhibit histopathological alterations or compensatory changes in the expression of other X11 family proteins, X11 and X11L2. The expression level and distribution of APP in the brain of mutant mice were also identical to those in wild-type mice. However, in the hippocampus, where substantial levels of X11L and APP are expressed, the mutant mice exhibited a significant increase in the level of the C-terminal fragments of APP produced by cleavage with beta-secretase but not alpha-secretase. The levels of Abeta were increased in the hippocampus of aged mutant mice as compared with age-matched controls. These observations clearly indicate that X11L suppresses the amyloidogenic but not amyloidolytic processing of APP in regions of the brain such as the hippocampus, which express significant levels of X11L.     

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on pulmonary and hepatic in vitro metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene in rat

The metabolism of (3H)-benzo(a)pyrene and the activities of enzymes involved in its metabolism were studied in rat lung and liver in vitamin A deficiency. Deficiency of vitamin A resulted a significant decrease in the overall metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene in the liver in vitro, whereas no significant difference was evident in the lung. The ethyl acetate-soluble metabolites of benzo(a)pyrene formed by lung and liver preparations were unaltered qualitatively by vitamin A deficiency. However, quantitative analysis revealed that vitamin A deficiency decreased the yield of dihydrodiols, quinones and phenols in liver, and dihydrodiols in lung. The hepatic cytochrome P-450 content, arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyl transferase activities were reduced, whereas glutathione S-transferase activity was increased in the vitamin A deficient animals. Contrary to this, pulmonary cytochrome P-450 content was above the control values (p less than 0.01) and no alteration in pulmonary arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was observed in vitamin A deficient rats. Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase and glutathione S-transferase activities were impaired in lung by inducing vitamin A deficiency. However, no significant difference was evident in the overall metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene by lung supernatants from the two groups.     

Induction of cytochrome P450 by toluene

At least six cytochrome P450 (P450) isoenzymes, including CYP1A1/2, CYP2A1, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C6, CYP2C11 and CYP2E1, are involved in the metabolism of toluene in rat liver. Toluene exposure induces CYP1A1/2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A1, but decreases CYP2C11/6 and CYP2A1 in adult males. Both sex and age influence the induction of P450s by toluene: in general, the inductive effect is more prominent in younger than in older animals; in males than in females. Neonatal exposure to toluene causes significant changes in liver microsomal P450 dependent monooxygenase activities during the early stage of life, whereas the enects on the rats of more than 3 weeks of age are small. Although structurally related chemicals of toluene also influence similar hepatic P450 isoenzymes, the degree of CYP2B1/2 induction increases, whilst that of CYP2E1 decreases with increasing molecular weight and aliphatic moieties. Unlike liver, exposure to toluene does not influence the distribution of pulmonary or renal microsomal P450-related enzyme activity in rats. In humans, occupational exposure to toluene is so low that it could not lead to the induction of P450. However, the induction may be seen in toluene sniffers who are exposed to high concentrations.     

Inhibitory effect of toluene on tumor promotion in mouse skin

In the two-stage mouse model for skin tumorigenesis with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) as promoter, topical application of 40 microliters of toluene 2X/week at the initiation/promotion site (the back) reduced the average number of tumors/mouse (ANT/M) to approximately one-fourth that of controls. Control procedure involved initiation of C3H mice with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and CD-1 mice with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) followed by promotion with from 1 to 5 micrograms PMA in 40 microliters acetone 2X/week. Forty microliters of toluene 2X/week per se was a weak promoter (6-13% of control ANT/M), and produced mild skin irritation at the application site but behavior and body weights were normal. The toluene inhibition of tumorigenesis was not a direct chemical action on PMA since similar effects occurred whether toluene was the vehicle for PMA or whether it was applied up to 1 day before PMA (i.e., prepromotion). Prepromotion with acetone had no effect on tumorigenesis, substantiating its use as control vehicle and suggesting that the toluene inhibition was a specific tissue reaction. The inhibitory effect appeared to be on PMA promotion rather than on initiation since toluene and acetone produced similar numbers of tumors when used as the vehicle for BaP or DMBA in two-stage or BaP in single-stage trials. The inhibition was not permanent since tumorigenesis returned to control rates 2-3 weeks after prepromotion with toluene ceased but promotion with PMA in acetone continued. Toluene may be unique among reported promotion inhibitors in that it is a widely used commercial chemical which sometimes serves as a vehicle in cancer-screening trials. Since its metabolism is reasonably well defined, it may be of value in exploring further the process of tumor promotion.     

Folic acid content of diet during pregnancy determines post-birth re-set of metabolism in Wistar rat dams

Maternal metabolism begins to return to homeostasis (re-set) following birth and is accelerated by lactation. Delay in metabolic re-set may contribute to postpartum weight retention and later-life metabolic consequences. Folic acid (FA) is essential during pregnancy but inadequate intakes may alter 1-carbon metabolism, consequently affecting energy homeostatic systems. Our objectives were to examine the effects of FA content 1)below and 2)above requirements during pregnancy on the re-set of body weight, markers of hepatic 1-carbon metabolism and central and peripheral energy metabolic pathways in Wistar rat mothers early post-weaning (PW) compared to pregnant controls. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed an AIN-93G diet with FA at 0X, 1X (control, 2 mg FA/kg) or a range above requirements at 2.5X, 5X or 10X recommended levels then the control diet during lactation up to 1 week PW. Dams fed below (0X) or above (5X and 10X) FA requirements had delayed weight-loss from weaning up to 1 week PW, higher plasma insulin and HOMA-IR and changes in glucose and lipid metabolism-regulating genes in muscle, but not liver or adipose tissue compared to controls. Expression of folate-related genes in liver were lower in high FA fed dams. Central food intake neurons were not affected by FA diets. In conclusion, intakes of FA below (0X) or above (5X, 10X) requirements during pregnancy delayed weight-loss, dysregulated 1-carbon pathways in the liver and peripheral energy metabolic pathways in the Wistar rat mother up to 4 weeks after dietary exposure; potentially programming long-term negative metabolic effects and that of her future offspring.     

The influence of changes in food availability on the activities of key degradative and metabolic enzymes in the liver and epaxial muscle of the golden perch

This study investigated the influence of feeding frequency on the activities of important degradative enzymes and potentially rate-limiting enzymes in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver and white epaxial muscle of Macquaria ambigua . Adult animals were either fed daily to satiety (fed), deprived of food for up to 180 days (starved), or starved for 150 days then fed daily to satiety for 30 days (starved/fed). The activities of lipolytic, glycogenolytic and glycolytic enzymes in the livers of starved fish were maintained as long as liver energy stores were available, but became significantly reduced following their exhaustion indicating a decline in metabolism in response to prolonged starvation. The response of epaxial muscle metabolism to changes in food availability was different to that of the liver, as no significant change in the activities of muscle lipolytic or glycogenolytic enzymes were observed in response to starvation. Muscle tissue metabolism was reduced after 60–90 days of starvation, but then returned to prestarvation levels.     

Genotoxicity of intermittent co-exposure to benzene and toluene in male CD-1 mice

Benzene is an important industrial chemical. At certain levels, benzene has been found to produce aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, myeloblastic anemia and genotoxic effects in humans. Metabolism by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and myeloperoxidase to hydroquinone, phenol, and other metabolites contributes to benzene toxicity. Other xenobiotic substrates for cytochrome P450 can alter benzene metabolism. At high concentrations, toluene has been shown to inhibit benzene metabolism and benzene-induced toxicities. The present study investigated the genotoxicity of exposure to benzene and toluene at lower and intermittent co-exposures. Mice were exposed via whole-body inhalation for 6h/day for 8 days (over a 15-day time period) to air, 50 ppm benzene, 100 ppm toluene, 50 ppm benzene and 50 ppm toluene, or 50 ppm benzene and 100 ppm toluene. Mice exposed to 50 ppm benzene exhibited an increased frequency (2.4-fold) of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and increased levels of urinary metabolites (t,t-muconic acid, hydroquinone, and s-phenylmercapturic acid) vs. air-exposed controls. Benzene co-exposure with 100 ppm toluene resulted in similar urinary metabolite levels but a 3.7-fold increase in frequency of micronucleated PCE. Benzene co-exposure with 50 ppm toluene resulted in a similar elevation of micronuclei frequency as with 100 ppm toluene which did not differ significantly from 50 ppm benzene exposure alone. Both co-exposures - 50 ppm benzene with 50 or 100 ppm toluene - resulted in significantly elevated CYP2E1 activities that did not occur following benzene or toluene exposure alone. Whole blood glutathione (GSH) levels were similarly decreased following exposure to 50 ppm benzene and/or 100 ppm toluene, while co-exposure to 50 ppm benzene and 100 ppm toluene significantly decreased GSSG levels and increased the GSH/GSSG ratio. The higher frequency of micronucleated PCE following benzene and toluene co-exposure when compared with mice exposed to benzene or toluene alone suggests that, at the doses used in this study, toluene can enhance benzene-induced clastogenic or aneugenic bone marrow injury. These findings exemplify the importance of studying the effects of binary chemical interactions in animals exposed to lower exposure concentrations of benzene and toluene on benzene metabolism and clastogenicity. The relevance of these data on interactions for humans exposed at low benzene concentrations can be best assessed only when the mechanism of interaction is understood at a quantitative level and incorporated within a biologically based modeling framework.     

Increased amyloidogenic processing of transgenic human APP in X11-like deficient mouse brain

Background

X11-family proteins, including X11, X11-like (X11L) and X11-like 2 (X11L2), bind to the cytoplasmic domain of amyloid β-protein precursor (APP) and regulate APP metabolism. Both X11 and X11L are expressed specifically in brain, while X11L2 is expressed ubiquitously. X11L is predominantly expressed in excitatory neurons, in contrast to X11, which is strongly expressed in inhibitory neurons. In vivo gene-knockout studies targeting X11, X11L, or both, and studies of X11 or X11L transgenic mice have reported that X11-family proteins suppress the amyloidogenic processing of endogenous mouse APP and ectopic human APP with one exception: knockout of X11, X11L or X11L2 has been found to suppress amyloidogenic metabolism in transgenic mice overexpressing the human Swedish mutant APP (APPswe) and the mutant human PS1, which lacks exon 9 (PS1dE9). Therefore, the data on X11-family protein function in transgenic human APP metabolism in vivo are inconsistent.

Results

To confirm the interaction of X11L with human APP ectopically expressed in mouse brain, we examined the amyloidogenic metabolism of human APP in two lines of human APP transgenic mice generated to also lack X11L. In agreement with previous reports from our lab and others, we found that the amyloidogenic metabolism of human APP increased in the absence of X11L.

Conclusion

X11L appears to aid in the suppression of amyloidogenic processing of human APP in brain in vivo, as has been demonstrated by previous studies using several human APP transgenic lines with various genetic backgrounds. X11L appears to regulate human APP in a manner similar to that seen in endogenous mouse APP metabolism.

     

Effect of butyrate on glycolipid metabolism of two cell types of rat ascites hepatomas with different ganglioside biosynthesis

The effect of butyrate on glycolipid metabolism and morphological differentiation in the cell culture system of rat ascites hepatomas, AH 7974 of island-forming type and AH 7974F of free type, was studied. Both cell lines adhered to the substratum in the presence of 1 mM butyrate. In the case of AH 7974, the addition of butyrate induced a distinct morphological change but the other cell line showed no such conspicuous change. Butyrate-treated AH 7974 cells showed a 2 to 3-fold elevation of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid: lactosylceramide sialyltransferase activity to form N-acetylneuraminylgalactosylglucosylceramide (GM3). On the other hand, no enzyme activity could be detected in AH 7974F cells. Four glycosyltransferase activities involved in glycolipid synthesis, including sialyltransferase in AH 7974F cells, were reduced by butyrate. From these observations we concluded that sialyltransferase to form GM3, or TM3 itself, is prerequisite for the morphological alteration induced by butyrate.     

Congenital adrenal hypoplasia, myopathy, and glycerol kinase deficiency: Molecular genetic evidence for deletions

Glycerol kinase deficiency (GKD) is an X-linked recessive trait that occurs in association with congenital adrenal hypoplasia (AH) and developmental delay with or without congenital dystrophic myopathy. Several such patients have recently been reported to have cytological deletions of chromosome region Xp21 and/or of DNA markers that map near the locus for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in band Xp21. We have examined the initial family reported in the literature and, using prometaphase chromosome studies and Southern blot analysis with 13 different DNA probes derived from band Xp21, have found no deletions within this region of the X chromosome. When DNA samples from six other unrelated affected males were analyzed, four of them were found to have different-size deletions within Xp21. Thus, the form of GKD associated with AH and dystrophic myopathy exhibits significant genetic heterogeneity at the DNA level. No deletions were detected in two patients with isolated GK deficiency. Comparison of our molecular studies of unrelated patients with deletions of DNA segments allows us to define the region of Xp21 (between probes J-Bir and L1.4) that most likely contains the genes for GKD and AH. This location is distal to the DMD locus. The patients with progressive muscular dystrophy tended to have larger deletions that include markers known to derive from the DMD locus, while GKD/AH/dystrophic-myopathy patients without current evidence of deletion seemed to have a milder, nonprogressive form of congenital myopathy.     

Possible Involvement of Humoral Regulation in the Effects of Elevated Cerebral 4-Aminobutyric Acid Levels on the Polyamine Metabolism in Brain

Abstract: It has been reported in several recent studies that the manipulation of cerebral 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level results in unexpected changes in the cerebral polyamine metabolism in vivo . The mechanisms behind these interactions have remained unknown. The present results show that the changes in polyamine metabolism are not limited to the brain, but are observable also in the liver, which served as a peripheral reference tissue. Different types of responses in the activities of the poiyamine-synthesizing enzymes, ornithine decarboxylase and adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, were observed after increasing the cerebral GABA concentration of mice with varying doses of two GABA transaminase inhibitors, gabaculine and ethanolamine- O- sulphate. The time course of the significant changes in the enzyme activities showed significant correlation between the brain and liver. The possibility of direct effects of the drugs on liver was excluded by injecting them intracerebroventricularly, and by performing control experiments with equal doses given peripherally. It is concluded that the observed changes in the polyamine metabolism of liver are produced through centrally mediated humoral regulation, and that the corresponding changes in the brain are obviously due to the same factor or factors, since they are significantly correlated to the changes in liver.     

Isolation and characterization of the plasma membranes from rat ascites hepatomas and from normal rat livers, including newborn, regenerating, and adult livers.

Plasma membranes (PM) were isolated from island-forming types of rat ascites hepatoma (AH 130, AH 602, and AH 7974) and from their free-cell sublines (AH 130FN and AH 7974F), and were characterized in terms of electron-microscopic morphology, marker enzyme activities, and lipid contents. The results were compared with those of the PM isolated in a similar way from newborn, regenerating, and adult livers. The marker enzyme activities, such as Na+, K+-insensitive Mg2+-ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] (Mg2+-ATPase) and 5'-nucleotidase [EC 3.1.3.5], as well as the phospholipid composition of the PM isolated from hepatomas by Wallach's nitrogen gas cavitation method were similar to those obtained with the PM isolated by a modification of Emmelot's method, although the former method gave a much lower yield in terms of protein than the latter. Based on the modified Emmelot method, sufficiently pure PM preparations could be obtained from the hepatomas in the form of large membrane sheets without any contamination by other identifiable components, as determined with an electron microscope, and with high specific activities of the marker enzymes, such as Na+, K+-sensitive ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] (Na+, K+ -ATPase), Mg2+ -ATPase, and 5'-nucleotidase. As for the characteristics of the hepatoma PM, lower specific activity of 5'-nucleotidase and higher fatty aldehyde molar percentages in total phospholipids were noted in all the PM from the hepatomas in comparison with normal liver PM of various origins. The PM from the hepatomas showed an increased amount of cholesterol (mumole per mg protein), whereas actively growing newborn and regenerating livers gave rather lower amounts in comparison with that of normal adult liver.     

黑木耳子实体粉代替部分膳食对高脂模型小鼠营养性肥胖预防作用

本文旨在研究黑木耳粉代替部分膳食对模型小鼠预防营养性肥胖的作用功效。试验选择5周龄健康ICR雄性小鼠48只,随机分为正常对照组(CK)、高脂组(HFD)、阳性药物对照组(PD)和黑木耳粉添加组(AH)。连续饲喂9周,检测小鼠的各项生理生化指标。结果表明：与HFD组相比,AH组小鼠体重、附睾脂肪指数显著降低(P<0.05);Lee’s指数、血清葡萄糖(GLU)含量、甘油三酯(TG)含量和肝脏指数含量极显著降低(P<0.01),血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和肝脏HDL-C含量极显著提高(P<0.01);染色结果观察到AH组小鼠肝脏中脂肪细胞减小,脂质含量降低;附睾脂肪体积减小,附睾细胞形状较规则。高通量测序分析发现,黑木耳粉干预有效改善了小鼠肠道中的变形菌门、螺杆菌属与拟杆菌属的相对丰度。研究结果表明黑木耳有显著预防小鼠营养性肥胖的功效,为黑木耳的开发利用提供依据。     

Synthesis and reactivity of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes of two N-O donors and potentiation of the antituberculosis activity of one of them on chelation to metal ions: Part IV

A new series of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of two aromatic acidhydrazides (BH and AH) have been reported. Of these two donors, AH is known to possess considerable in vitro antitubercular activity. At pH 2-4, oxometal complexes of the type [VO(BH/AH)2SO4].nH2O (n = 1, 0) and [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)H2O].H2O (BH = C6H5CONHNH2 and AH = (2-NH2)C6H4.CO.NHNH2) were obtained. Reactions of [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)H2O].H2O with a monodentate Lewis base lead to the isolation of metal-ligand complexes [VO(BH/AH)(C2O4)L].nH2O (L = NH3, n = 1, L = py, n = 2). Disposition of the bonding sites of donor molecules around the oxometal acceptor center and status of the metal-oxygen multiple bond have been established. A monomeric and distorted octahedral donor environment for the oxovanadium(IV) ion has been proposed on the basis of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Antitubercular activities, in vitro, of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes of AH have also been evaluated towards tuberculosis mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium flae, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium H37Rv.     

Expression of apolipoprotein AI mRNA in peripheral white blood cells of patients with alcoholic liver disease

Because (i) changes in plasma and liver mRNA of apolipoprotein (apo) AI have been observed in patients with alcoholic liver disease, (ii) apo AI mRNA can be induced in non-hepatic tissues, and (iii) apolipoproteins expression is influenced by plasma colloid osmotic pressure (P(CO)) and viscosity (eta), we analyzed the Apo AI mRNA expression in the peripheral white blood cells (PWBC), P(CO), and eta in control volunteers (C), patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), and cirrhotic patients with superimposed alcoholic hepatitis (LC+AH). We found that apo AI mRNA is expressed in the PWBC in 20% of C and it is induced 1.5 fold in 66.6% of LC and 1.95 fold in 85% of LC+AH. A significant decrease of P(CO) in LC and LC + AH (14.8 +/- 2.4 and 16.2 +/- 2.4 mm Hg, respectively) compared to C (27.9 +/- 2 mm Hg) was observed. By contrast, eta was mildly increased from 1.7389 +/- 0.07 in C to 1.8022 +/- 0.154 in LC and 1.9030 +/- 0.177 in LC+AH. No significant correlation was found between P(CO) and eta with apo AI mRNA but with lipid profile. In conclusion, apo AI mRNA expression in PWBC is associated to liver disease severity and could be an indirect indicator of alcoholic liver damage.     

Metabolomics study of the hepatoprotective effect of Phellinus igniarius in chronic ethanol-induced liver injury mice using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS combined with ingenuity pathway analysis

BackgroundPhellinus igniarius (L.) Quèl as a potential medicinal mushroom possesses multiple biological activities including hepatoprotection, but the hepatoprotective mechanism is not clear.PurposeTo elucidate the hepatoprotective effect and potential target of P. igniarius.MethodsThe male C57BL/6 mice were fed with the Lieber–DeCarli diet containing alcohol or isocaloric maltose dextrin as control diet with or without P. igniarius decoction (PID) in the dosage of 0.65 g/kg and 2.6 g/kg. The levels of serum biomarkers were detected by an automatic biochemistry analyser. The histopathological changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) was applied for investigating the dynamic changes of serum metabolites in chronic ethanol-induced liver injury mice and after treatment with PID. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was employed to identify the potential target of PID.ResultsPID could significantly reduce the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG) and total bile acid (TBA) in serum and improved hepatic steatosis and inflammation. In terms of metabolism, a total of 36 serum differential metabolites were identified, and PID intervention regulated 24 of them, involving the key metabolic pathways such as the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, primary bile acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acids biosynthesis, ether lipid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism. On the mechanism, IPA showed that farnesol X receptor (FXR) was the major potential target for PID, and PID could improve chronic alcohol intake induced by the inhibition of mRNA expression of FXR in the liver and the activation of mRNA expression of FXR in the intestine in mice.ConclusionThe present study for the first time systematically illustrated the hepatoprotective effect of P. igniarius and preliminarily explored its potential target FXR. P. igniarius might be exploited as a promising therapeutic option for alcoholic liver injury.