Regulation of hepatic eNOS by caveolin and calmodulin after bile duct ligation in rats

In carbon tetrachloride-induced liver cirrhosis, diminution of hepatic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity may contribute to impaired hepatic vasodilation and portal hypertension. The mechanisms responsible for these events remain unknown; however, a role for the NOS-associated proteins caveolin and calmodulin has been postulated. The purpose of this study is to characterize the expression and cellular localization of the NOS inhibitory protein caveolin-1 in normal rat liver and to then examine the role of caveolin in conjunction with calmodulin in regulation of NOS activity in cholestatic portal hypertension. In normal liver, caveolin protein is expressed preferentially in nonparenchymal cells compared with hepatocytes as assessed by Western blot analysis of isolated cell preparations. Additionally, within the nonparenchymal cell populations, caveolin expression is detected within both liver endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells. Next, studies were performed 4 wk after bile duct ligation (BDL), a model of portal hypertension characterized by prominent cholestasis, as evidenced by a significant increase in serum cholesterol in BDL animals. After BDL, caveolin protein levels from detergent-soluble liver lysates are significantly increased as assessed by Western blot analysis. Immunoperoxidase staining demonstrates that this increase is most prominent within sinusoids and venules. Additionally, caveolin-1 upregulation is associated with a significant reduction in NOS catalytic activity in BDL liver lysates, an event that is corrected with provision of excess calmodulin, a protein that competitively binds eNOS from caveolin. We conclude that, in cholestatic portal hypertension, caveolin may negatively regulate NOS activity in a manner that is reversible by excess calmodulin.     

Upregulation of secretin receptors on cholangiocytes after bile duct ligation

Secretin not only increases ductular bile secretion in vivo in rats after bile duct ligation (BDL) [1], but also increases cAMP levels and stimulates exocytosis in isolated cholangiocytes [2]. Although we have previously reported that secretin receptor mRNA was upregulated in cholangiocytes after BDL [3], the cholangiocyte secretin receptor has not been functionally characterized or quantified after BDL. In this work, we used a novel, photolabile and biologically active analogue of secretin to quantify and characterize secretin receptors on cholangiocytes isolated from normal and BDL rats. The cholangiocyte secretin receptor bound radioligand with high affinity and in a rapid, reversible, and temperature-dependent manner. While receptors on cholangiocytes from normal and BDL rats were functionally and biochemically identical, receptor density on cholangiocytes was increased 5-fold following BDL. The combination of increased cell number with increased functional secretin receptors per cell is due to the fact that cholangiocyte hyperplasia represents a reactive response to a cholestatic condition and this effort on the part of the organism to maintain bile secretion, explains the increased hormone-responsive choleresis observed after BDL and may reflect an adaptive response of the organism to cholestasis.     

Effect of bile duct ligation on bile acid and cholesterol metabolism in rats

The effects of bile duct ligation on bile acid and cholesterol metabolism were examined in male Wistar strain rats. Quantitative and qualitative changes of bile acids and cholesterol in serum and urine occurred; beta-muricholic acid predominantly increased in serum and urine and the ratio of urinary cholic acid and beta-muricholic acid changed from about 5:3 on day 1 to about 1:8 on day 5 under biliary obstruction. The form of the increased urinary bile acids was mainly taurine-conjugated and partly sulfated. Under conditions of bile duct ligation on day 5, 14C-labeled 3 beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic, lithocholic, and chenodeoxycholic acids were intragastrically administered to the rats after pretreatment with antibiotics and the metabolites of these three acids were investigated. 3 beta-Hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was most efficiently converted to beta-muricholic acid. The present study strongly suggested the presence of an alternative metabolic pathway induced by bile duct ligation, which caused the change in composition of urinary bile acids, and especially the marked increase in beta-muricholic acid formation. A possible alternative pathway for bile acid biosynthesis under biliary obstruction in rats is postulated.     

Modulation of the cannabinoid receptors by hemopressin peptides

Changes in the endocannabinoid system are implicated in numerous diseases, making it an attractive target for pharmaceutical development. The endocannabinoid receptors have traditionally been thought to act through the effects of lipophilic messengers called cannabinoids. The exciting finding of endocannabinoid system modulation by the nonapeptide hemopressin and its N-terminal extensions has highlighted the complexity of cannabinoid biology and pharmacology and sparked interest for therapeutic purposes. However, many questions surrounding the generation and regulation of the hemopressin peptides, the self-assembly of hemopressin and the potential for drug development based on hemopressin remain and are discussed in this review.     

Carbohydrate absorption in the rat small intestine following ligation of the bile duct

Active transport of free glucose, and glucose released from maltose and starch hydrolysis (F-, M-, and S-glucose, respectively) was investigated in vitro in the rat small intestine 7 and 14-17 days after the ligation of the common bile duct or after the laparotomy (control). The relative role of the ileum (its proximal portion in particular) in active transport of F- and M-glucose was enhanced following ligation of the common bile duct as compared with the control (laparotomy). The active transport of S-glucose was relatively low in the control and actually absent after the ligation of the common bile duct. The findings seem to reflect adaptive-compensatory responses of intestinal mucous membrane to insufficiency of the lumen digestion of carbohydrates due to exclusion of bile from the process.     

Administration of r-VEGF-A prevents hepatic artery ligation-induced bile duct damage in bile duct ligated rats

The hepatic artery, through the peribiliary plexus, nourishes the intrahepatic biliary tree. During obstructive cholestasis, the nutritional demands of intrahepatic bile ducts are increased as a consequence of enhanced proliferation; in fact, the peribiliary plexus (PBP) displays adaptive expansion. The effects of hepatic artery ligation (HAL) on cholangiocyte functions during cholestasis are unknown, although ischemic lesions of the biliary tree complicate the course of transplanted livers and are encountered in cholangiopathies. We evaluated the effects of HAL on cholangiocyte functions in experimental cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). By using BDL and BDL + HAL rats or BDL + HAL rats treated with recombinant-vascular endothelial growth factor-A (r-VEGF-A) for 1 wk, we evaluated liver morphology, the degree of portal inflammation and periductular fibrosis, microcirculation, cholangiocyte apoptosis, proliferation, and secretion. Microcirculation was evaluated using a scanning electron microscopy vascular corrosion cast technique. HAL induced in BDL rats 1) the disappearance of the PBP, 2) increased apoptosis and impaired cholangiocyte proliferation and secretin-stimulated ductal secretion, and 3) decreased cholangiocyte VEGF secretion. The effects of HAL on the PBP and cholangiocyte functions were prevented by r-VEGF-A, which, by maintaining the integrity of the PBP and cholangiocyte proliferation, prevents damage of bile ducts following ischemic injury.     

Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is prevented in rats with common bile duct ligation.

Biliary cirrhosis in the rat triggers intrapulmonary vasodilatation and gas-exchange abnormalities that characterize the hepatopulmonary syndrome. This vasodilatation correlates with increased levels of pulmonary microcirculatory endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and hepatic and plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1). Importantly, during cirrhosis, the pulmonary vascular responses to acute hypoxia are blunted. The purpose of this work was to examine the pulmonary vascular responses and adaptations to the combination of liver cirrhosis and chronic hypoxia (CH). In addition to hemodynamic measurements, we investigated whether pulmonary expression changes of eNOS, ET-1 and its receptors (endothelin A and B), or heme oxygenase 1 in experimental cirrhosis affect the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. We induced cirrhosis in male Sprague-Dawley rats using common bile duct ligation (CBDL) and exposed them to CH (inspired PO2 approximately 76 Torr) or maintained them in Denver (Den, inspired PO2 approximately 122 Torr) for 3 wk. Our data show 1) CBDL-CH rats had a persistent blunted hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction similar to CBDL-Den; 2) the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was completely prevented in the CBDL-CH rats, as indicated by normal pulmonary arterial pressure and lack of right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary arteriole remodeling; and 3) selective increases in expression of ET-1, pulmonary endothelin B receptor, eNOS, and heme oxygenase 1 are potential mechanisms of protection against hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in the CBDL-CH rats. These data demonstrate that unique and undefined hepatic-pulmonary interactions occur during liver cirrhosis and chronic hypoxia. Understanding these interactions may provide important information for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.     

细胞外信号调节激酶1在大鼠胆汁性肝纤维化形成过程中的含量变化

目的:探讨细胞外信号调节激酶1(ERK1)在肝纤维化形成过程中的含量变化.方法:采用胆总管结扎(BDL)方法建立大鼠胆汁性肝纤维化模型,应用免疫组织化学、Western blotting技术及逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)方法,研究ERK1及其mRNA在肝纤维化不同时期肝组织中的分布及含量的动态变化.结果:正常肝组织有少量ERK1分布,随着肝纤维化的发展,ERK1阳性细胞明显增多;正常大鼠肝组织中有ERK1蛋白表达,造模1～4周明显增多,4周时增加了3.9倍:正常大鼠肝组织中亦有ERK1 mRNA表达,于造模2 d开始上调,造模4周表达最多.结论:肝纤维化形成过程中ERK1及其mRNA含量增加,尤以造模4周最明显.     

Deteriorating effect of fluvastatin on the cholestatic liver injury induced by bile duct ligation in rats

Antiinflammatory effect of statins mediated by the reduction of cytokine IL-6 in hepatocytes have been reported. Contrary to beneficial effect, statins can increase susceptibility to mitochondrial dysfunction. Extrahepatic biliary obstruction is associated with oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory response and hepatocyte mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of our study was to verify the effect of fluvastatin on cholestatic liver injury. Cholestasis was induced in Wistar rats by bile duct ligation. Fluvastatin (1 or 5 mg/kg) was administered after surgery and then daily for 7 days. The dose of 5 mg/kg led to the deterioration of hepatocellular injury. Despite lower production of IL-6, decrease in GSH content, rise of TGF? and inhibition of respiratory complex I in mitochondria were determined. The mRNA expressions of canalicular transporter Mdr1b and basolateral transporter Mrp3 increased in cholestatic liver. Fluvastatin administration then led to the attenuation of this change. Analogously, mRNA expression of conjugative enzyme Ugt1a1 was diminished by fluvastatin administration to cholestatic rats. We can conclude that decrease in the antioxidative status and mitochondrial dysfunction could at least in part participate on the deteriorating effect of fluvastatin. Whether these processes can be a consequence of the alteration in metabolism and transport of potentially toxic substances remains to verify.     

Ductular reaction at the early terms of common bile duct ligation in the rats

Ductular reaction (DR) in bile duct ligated rats generally appears from 2nd day after biliary obstruction (BO). However, we show that increased amount of ductular profiles is evident already in 6 hours after BDL. The study aims to explain the origin of such an early DR in response to BO. Male Lewis rats were subjected to common bile duct ligation (CBDL) for 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours and sham operation. Liver samples were studied histologically, immunohistochemically (Ki67, pan-Cytokeratin /AE1 + AE3/ and OV-6) and by immunoblotting analyses. It appeared that number of ductular profiles increase in time-related manner after BO. These ductular profiles are formed by biliary epitheliocyte-like cells; No mitotic activity was revealed. Part of hepatocytes reveals pan-Cytokeratin positivity on 12 and 24 hours after BO. Total cytokeratins content at 24 hours after CBDL was 37% higher in comparison with control data. The significant increase was observed for the cytokeratins with molecular weights: 61, 56 and 40 KDa. Thus, early DR after BDL is mediated by widening of the existed finest biliary ramifications and is not associated with proliferation activities. This DR is accompanied by differentiation of hepatocytes toward bile duct-like cells.     

Transgenic expression of osteoactivin in the liver attenuates hepatic fibrosis in rats

The role of osteoactivin (OA) in liver fibrogenesis remains unclear. After feeding wild-type (WT) and OA transgenic (OA-Tg) rats a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet for 12 weeks, we evaluated liver fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin protein in OA-Tg rats were reduced in comparison to WT rats. Our examination of the expression of 31,100 genes by microarray analysis identified 177 and 256 genes that were upregulated and downregulated, respectively, by at least twofold in OA-Tg rat livers in comparison to WT rat livers. Of these genes, we confirmed a significant downregulation in the expression levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2, type I collagen, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha and -beta in the livers of OA-Tg rats. These results indicate that transgenic OA expression attenuates the development of hepatic fibrosis in association with the suppression of specific genes involved in its pathogenesis.     

TNF-alpha and leptin in experimental liver fibrosis models induced by carbon tetrachloride and by common bile duct ligation

In this study we investigated TNF-alpha and leptin levels in two different liver fibrosis models induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) and common bile duct ligation (CBDL). A total of 36 male rats of Albino-Wistar strain were allocated to three groups. One of the groups was the control. The second group received 0.15 ml 100 g(-1) CCl(4) subcutaneously for 6 weeks, 3 days per week. The third group underwent common bile duct ligation (CBDL) and was monitored for 4 weeks. Histopathological investigation included fibrosis, steatosis and inflammation. Serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were analysed by ELISA methods and leptin was analysed by RIA. Fibrosis and steatosis increased significantly in the CCl(4) group in comparison with the CBDL group (p < 0.01; p < 0.001). Leptin and TNF-alpha levels in CCl(4) group were higher than those in the CBDL and control groups (p < 0.05). TNF-alpha and leptin levels were not related to each another in either the CCl(4) group or the CBDL group (r=0.22, p > 0.05; r=0.19, p > 0.05). The IL-6 level was higher in the CCl(4) group in relation to severity of inflammation (p < 0.05). TNF-alpha and leptin levels were higher in animals with liver fibrosis induced by CCl(4), than they were in those whose liver fibrosis was induced by common bile duct ligation. Leptin and TNF-alpha may be less effective on the development of liver fibrosis in the group which underwent common bile duct ligation.     

Rare earth cerium oxide nanoparticles attenuated liver fibrosis in bile duct ligation mice model

Liver fibrosis is one of the major liver complications which eventually progresses to liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Cerium oxide nanoparticles, also known as nanoceria (NC) are nanoparticles with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Herein, we evaluated the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects of nanoceria (NC) against bile duct ligation (BDL) induced liver injury. NC were administered i.p. for 12 days (0.5 and 2 mg/kg) to C57BL/6J mice. The biochemical markers of liver injury, oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. Fibrosis assessment and mechanistic studies were conducted to assess the hepatoprotective effects of NC. Administration of NC proved to significantly ameliorate liver injury as evident by reduction in SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin levels in the treated animals. NC treatment significantly reduced the hydroxyproline levels and expression of fibrotic markers. In summary, our findings establish the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects of NC against BDL induced liver injury and liver fibrosis. These protective effects were majorly ascribed to their potential ROS inhibition and antioxidant activities through catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic properties and auto-regenerating capabilities.     

胆管结扎对大鼠肠道双歧杆菌组成的影响

目的分析胆管结扎对SD大鼠肠道双歧杆菌菌群结构组成的影响。方法采集手术前3 d和手术后2周5只模型组和5只对照组大鼠的粪便样品,提取粪便样品中微生物的混合DNA进行双歧杆菌类群特异性PCR-DGGE,结合主成分分析技术比较2组大鼠在手术前后肠道内双歧杆菌结构组成的变化。结果DGGE图谱及其主成分分析表明手术后对照组和模型组大鼠肠道双歧杆菌菌群的结构组成明显不同,主要表现在假长双歧杆菌的数量在模型组显著增加,而动物双歧杆菌却明显减少。结论胆管结扎导致SD大鼠肠道双歧杆菌结构发生异常变化。     

Intestinal absorption and postabsorptive metabolism of linoleic acid in rats with short-term bile duct ligation

We investigated in bile duct-ligated (BDL) and sham-operated control rats whether the frequent presence of essential fatty acid deficiency in cholestatic liver disease could be related to linoleic acid malabsorption, altered linoleic acid metabolism, or both. In plasma of BDL rats, the triene-to-tetraene ratio, a biochemical marker for essential fatty acid deficiency, was increased compared with controls (0.024 +/- 0.004 vs. 0.013 +/- 0.001; P < 0.05). Net and percentage of dietary linoleic acid absorbed were decreased in BDL rats compared with control rats (1.50 +/- 0.16 mmol/day and 81.3 +/- 3.3% vs. 2.08 +/- 0.07 mmol/day and 99.2 +/- 0.1%, respectively; each P < 0.001). At 24 h after [(13)C]linoleic acid administration, BDL rats had a similar ratio of plasma [(13)C]arachidonic acid to plasma [(13)C]linoleic acid concentration compared with control rats. Delta(6)-Desaturase activity was not significantly different in hepatic microsomes from control or BDL rats. At 3 h after [(13)C]linoleic acid administration, plasma appearance of [(13)C]linoleic acid and cumulative expiration of (13)CO(2) were decreased in BDL rats, compared with controls (by 54% and 80%, respectively). The present data indicate that the impaired linoleic acid status in cholestatic liver disease is mainly due to decreased net absorption and not to quantitative alterations in postabsorptive metabolism.