葡萄糖对鹅原代肝细胞脂质沉积相关基因及酶活性的影响

通过用葡萄糖培养天府肉鹅(Anser cygnoides)原代肝细胞的试验,探讨葡萄糖对肝细胞脂质合成能力的影响.研究发现:0²5 mmol/L葡萄糖对肝细胞上清液中谷草转氨酶(aspartate transaminase,AST)、谷丙转氨酶(alanine amiotransferase,ALT)浓度没有显著影响,35 mmol/L葡萄糖影响显著,但AST、ALT浓度均在正常范围内,表明肝细胞功能正常;油红氧染色实验结果表明:葡萄糖处理后显著增加细胞内脂滴集聚和脂质沉积;25、35 mmol/L葡萄糖能显著增加乙酰辅酶A羧化酶α(acetyl-CoA carboxylaseα,ACCα)、脂肪酸合成酶(fatty acid synthetase,FAS)酶活性;5、25、35 mmol/L葡萄糖都能显著增加ACCα、FAS基因mRNA表达量.因此,葡萄糖能通过上调ACCα、FAS基因mRNA表达量及酶活性诱导肝细胞内脂质沉积.     

穿心莲内酯激活Nrf2抑制乙醇诱导肝细胞氧化应激损伤

本研究为观察穿心莲内酯(AD)对乙醇诱导肝细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用,体外培养肝细胞L-02,用不同浓度(0~30μmol/L)AD孵育1 h,随后加入100 mmol/L乙醇作用24 h。ELISA测定AD处理前后细胞培养上清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和谷草转氨酶(AST)的含量;比色法检测丙二醛(MDA)和谷胱氨肽(GSH)的变化;荧光探针DCFH2-DA检测胞内活性氧(ROS)的产生;Western blotting和分析血红素氧合酶-1(HO-1)m RNA和蛋白的表达。电泳迁移率实验(EMSA)检测核转录因子Nrf2的DNA结合活性。结果表明,100 mmol/L乙醇处理肝细胞后,可在不影响L-02活性的情况下显著增加培养上清中ALT和AST的含量,而AD预处理后可抑制ALT、AST、MDA和ROS的增加以及上调胞内GSH的水平。此外,Western blotting和实时定量PCR结果也证实乙醇可降低肝细胞内源性HO-1的表达,而AD预处理后可增强转录因子Nrf2的活性并进一步上调HO-1的表达水平。AD可能通过激活Nrf2上调HO-1表达而发挥对乙醇所致肝细胞损伤的保护作用。     

氧化损伤与内质网应激在四氯化碳致大鼠肝脂肪变性中的作用机制

肝脂肪变性是长期饮酒、肥胖、药物中毒等致脂肪肝形成过程中重要的中间阶段,严 重的脂肪堆积会导致肝细胞坏死或肝硬化,但是有关肝脂肪变性的分子机理目前仍不十分清 楚.本实验利用四氯化碳建立大鼠肝脂肪变性模型,四氯化碳处理组较对照组肝脏丙二醛含 量增加68%,内质网应激标志蛋白GRP78 mRNA水平和蛋白质水平表达均明显增加;人肝癌细胞株HepG2体外培养中,加入四氯化碳处理后内质网发生应激,并导致SREBP-1表达增加且活化.结果表明,四氯化碳导致的肝脂肪变性与肝细胞的氧化损伤和内质网应激有关,其分子机理可能为内质网应激发生后促进SREBP-1转录因子的表达与活化,SREBP-1在细胞核内参与生脂相关酶如HMG CoA 还原酶等基因的诱导表达,生脂相关酶含量的增加进一步使肝细胞甘油三酯、胆固醇合成增加,脂质的异常堆积导致了肝脂肪变性的发生.     

祛湿化瘀方通过调节AMPK活性改善高脂饮食诱导的实验性脂肪肝肝脏脂肪代谢

目的：研究祛湿化瘀方对高脂饮食诱导的大鼠脂肪肝AMPK蛋白活性及其相关脂肪代谢靶蛋白活性的影响,以探讨该方防治实验性脂肪肝的作用机制。方法：采用高脂饲料饮食诱导大鼠脂肪肝模型,造模大鼠给予高脂饮食4周后,按随机数字表随机分为模型组及祛湿化瘀方组,分别灌胃给予饮用水及中药祛湿化瘀方4周。实验8周末取材后观察：1）肝组织三酰甘油（Triglyceride,TG）、游离脂肪酸（Free Fatty Acid,FFA）含量,2）肝组织病理变化（HE染色、油红染色）,3）肝组织腺苷酸活化的蛋白激酶（AMP-Activated K inase,AMPK）及磷酸化AMPK、肝组织总蛋白及核蛋白固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1 c（Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein-1 c、SREBP-1 c）、肝组织总蛋白及核蛋白碳水化合物反应元件结合蛋白（Carbohydrate Response Element Binding Protein、ChREBP）含量、肝组织乙酰辅酶A羧化酶（Acety1 CoA Carboxylase,ACCa-se）及磷酸化ACC蛋白含量,4）肝组织AMPKα1、AMPKα2、SREBP-1、ACCα、SREBP-1 c及ChREBP基因表达水平。结果：1）模型组肝组织TG、FFA含量显著升高,肝组织出现明显大泡样脂肪变性;模型组肝组织AMPK蛋白磷酸化水平降低、核蛋白SREBP-1与ChREBP表达增加、ACC蛋白磷酸化水平降低蛋白活性升高。2）祛湿化瘀方组肝组织TG、FFA含量较模型组显著降低,肝组织炎症及脂肪变性程度减轻;祛湿化瘀方能显著升高肝组织AMPK、ACC蛋白磷酸化水平、降低核蛋白SREBP-1及ChREBP含量。结论：祛湿化瘀方通过调节AMPK活性及其相关靶蛋白活性改善高脂饮食诱导的大鼠脂肪肝肝脂肪代谢,这可能是该方有效防治实验性脂肪肝的重要作用机制之一。     

LXR-alpha/SREBP-1c通路参与HCV NS5A诱导的肝细胞脂质代谢紊乱

肝细胞脂肪变性是丙型肝炎患者的突出病理特征,但丙肝病毒（HCV）诱导脂肪变性的分子机制尚不清楚.为探究HCV非结构蛋白5A（NS5A）参与诱导脂肪变性的可能分子机制,本研究以HCV NS5A转基因小鼠为研究对象,采集3～16月龄NS5A转基因小鼠和同窝非转基因小鼠的肝组织,进行病理学检测,并用气相色谱 质谱（GC-MS）法分析脂质主要成分胆固醇酯的含量.采用RT-PCR法检测肝细胞中与脂质代谢密切相关基因肝X受体（LXR-alpha）、固醇调节元件结合蛋白（SREBP-1c）、脂肪酸合成酶（FAS）、硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶1（SCD1）、过氧化物酶体增殖物受体alpha（PPAR-alpha）的mRNA表达水平.结果表明,与同窝非转基因对照小鼠相比,3～5月龄NS5A转基因小鼠的肝组织没有发生显著的病理性变化,但6～16月龄的NS5A转基因小鼠的肝脏发生了显著的脂肪变性（47.1% vs 130%;P=0.003）.与此相一致,胆固醇酯的含量在NS5A转基因小鼠的肝脏中显著升高（P < 0.01）.RT PCR检测结果表明,与对照小鼠相比,14月龄NS5A转基因小鼠肝组织中与脂质代谢相关的基因LXR.alpha、SREBP.1c、FAS、SCD1的mRNA表达水平显著增高（P < 0.05）,而PPAR alpha的表达则没有显著变化（P > 0.05）. 以上结果提示,NS5A在小鼠肝细胞中可能通过调高LXR.alpha/SREBP.1c信号通路相关基因的表达,进而促进脂质重新合成,诱导脂肪变性.     

油橄榄叶提取物对大鼠酒精性脂肪肝的保护作用

目的观察油橄榄叶提取物(OLE)对酒精性肝损伤的保护作用及机制。方法用递增法灌胃乙醇24周建立大鼠肝损伤模型,造模同时用OLE(250 mg·kg~(-1)、500 mg·kg~(-1)、1 000 mg·kg~(-1))进行灌胃治疗。利用生物显微技术观察肝脏组织结构的变化,检测血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、甘油三酯(TG)和总胆固醇(TC)水平,用放射免疫法检测肝脏肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素1(IL-1β)的含量,用比色法检测肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量,用免疫组织化学法检测固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1c(SREBP-1c)的表达情况。结果与模型组比较,OLE治疗后,血清ALT、AST、TG、TC水平降低;肝脏TNF-α、IL-1β、MDA含量及SREBP-1c表达呈降低趋势;SOD、CAT、GR水平均显著升高;肝脏损伤程度明显减轻。结论 OLE对酒精性肝损伤有一定的保护作用,可能与其减少自由基损伤、减轻炎症反应、抑制SREBP-1c表达有关。     

FH/Wjd大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型探讨

目的对FH/W jd大鼠酒精性肝损伤模型进行探讨。方法 FH/W jd大鼠按体重随机分为饮水组和饮酒组,两组均自由饮食。16周后取血,检测血清ALT、AST、TBIL、TG、CHO;取肝脏,匀浆后检测TG、GSH;流式细胞仪检测肝细胞凋亡率;Western blot检测肝脏组织PPARα蛋白表达;肝脏HE染色观察组织病理学改变。结果与饮水组比较,饮酒组两种性别FH/W jd大鼠血清TBIL、TG含量显著升高,饮酒组雌性大鼠血清ALT、CHO显著降低;饮酒组两种性别大鼠肝脏TG含量显著升高,GSH含量呈现降低趋势;饮酒组两种性别大鼠肝细胞凋亡率亦呈降低趋势;饮酒组肝脏PPARα蛋白表达明显上调;饮酒组组织病理学改变以小泡性脂肪变性为主。结论长期自主摄入酒精可以造成FH/W jd大鼠肝脏损伤。     

油酸体外诱导细胞脂肪变性对脂质代谢及炎症的影响

目的:利用不同浓度油酸处理人肝肿瘤细胞株HepG2,选取最佳浓度油酸后,观察最佳浓度的油酸对细胞脂质合成及代谢、肝细胞功能相关基因表达的影响及NF-κB、IL-6通路的变化,建立稳定高效的肝细胞脂肪变性体外研究模型。方法:将HepG2细胞用不同浓度油酸(0、0.5、0.75、1.25、1.5 m M)处理,油红O染色选取最佳浓度后,利用Realtime RT-PCR检测细胞内脂质合成、代谢及肝细胞功能相关基因表达情况,Western blot检测细胞内TLR4-TNFα-NF-κB及IL-6通路活性。结果:利用0.5 m M浓度油酸处理HepG2后,细胞未见明显死亡现象,细胞内脂质合成指标表达增多、代谢指标表达也明显增加,肝细胞功能相关基因表达下调,TLR4-TNFα-NF-κB、IL-6通路激活。结论:0.5 m M浓度油酸处理细胞可诱导HepG2脂肪变性,利用最佳浓度油酸处理细胞可作为NAFLD体外研究的细胞模型。     

脂肪酸影响草鱼肝细胞脂质蓄积状态及诱导其凋亡的离体研究

为探究外源脂肪酸对草鱼肝细胞脂质代谢及健康状况的影响及其机理,体外培养草鱼肝细胞,并采用不同浓度（0-1 mmol/L）油酸（Oleic acid）进行细胞孵育,噻唑兰比色法（Methyl thiazolte trazoliu,MTT）和油红O染色提取法检测肝细胞活力及脂质蓄积状况,BODIBY和DAPI染色法观察肝细胞脂滴及细胞核情况,流式细胞术检测肝细胞凋亡率变化,Real-time qPCR检测脂质合成标志基因过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（Peroxidase proliferation activated receptor,PPARγ）和CCAAT/增强子结合蛋白α（CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha,C/EBPα）、凋亡相关基因Caspase家族等的表达情况。结果显示,随着油酸处理浓度的增加,肝细胞活力和细胞内脂质积累呈现先上升后下降的趋势,分别在0.4和0.6 mmol/L时达到最大值（P < 0.05）;肝细胞凋亡率则先下降后上升,在0.4 mmol/L油酸处理时最低,1 mmol/L油酸处理时最高（P < 0.05）;此外,0.4 mmol/L油酸处理抑制了肝细胞Caspase-3b和Caspase-9基因的表达,上调Bcl-2/Bax mRNA比值（P < 0.05）,而0.8 mmol/L油酸处理显著促进Caspase-3b、Caspase-8、Caspase-9及凋亡诱导因子（Apoptosis inducing factor,AIF）基因的表达,下调Bcl-2/Bax的mRNA比值（P < 0.05）。研究表明,一定浓度的脂肪酸可增强草鱼肝细胞活力,促进胞内脂质积累,抑制细胞凋亡,而脂肪酸浓度过高则抑制肝细胞活力并诱导肝细胞凋亡,其作用与脂肪酸影响脂质代谢及凋亡基因的表达有关。     

枸杞多糖对乙醇诱导肝细胞损伤的保护作用研究

为探讨枸杞多糖(LBPs)对乙醇诱导肝细胞损伤的保护作用。枸杞样品经提取分离得到粗多糖(LBPs0)和不同分子量范围LBPs(LBPs1～LBPs4),利用人正常肝细胞(L-02细胞)评价LBPs对乙醇诱导肝细胞损伤的保护活性:MTT法测定细胞活力,比色法测定细胞培养液中ALT、AST和LDH的释放,DCFH-DA法测定细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平。结果显示,LBPs在0～200μg/mL间对细胞增殖无抑制或促进作用,其可通过提高细胞活力、降低ALT、AST、LDH的释放和抑制细胞内ROS的产生而发挥对乙醇诱导肝细胞损伤的保护作用。不同分子量范围LBPs的活性不同,LBPs3最强,其次为LBPs4和LBPs2,LBPs1最弱。综上,LBPs可保护乙醇诱导的肝细胞损伤,分子量范围为5～10 kDa的LBPs3的活性最高,本实验结果可为LBPs保护肝损伤功能食品及药物的应用开发提供实验基础和理论指导。     

AICAR-Induced Activation of AMPK Inhibits TSH/SREBP-2/HMGCR Pathway in Liver

Our previous study found that thyroid-stimulating hormone promoted sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) expression and suppressed AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in the liver, but it was unclear whether there was a direct link between TSH, AMPK and SREBP-2. Here, we demonstrate that the 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide ribonucleoside (AICAR)-induced activation of AMPK directly inhibited the expression of SREBP-2 and its target genes HMGCR and HMGCS, which are key enzymes in cholesterol biosynthesis, and suppressed the TSH-stimulated up-regulation of SREBP-2 in HepG2 cells; similar results were obtained in TSH receptor knockout mice. Furthermore, AMPK, an evolutionally conserved serine/threonine kinase, phosphorylated threonine residues in the precursor and nuclear forms of SREBP-2, and TSH interacted with AMPK to influence SREBP-2 phosphorylation. These findings may represent a molecular mechanism by which AMPK ameliorates the hepatic steatosis and hypercholesterolemia associated with high TSH levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).     

Effects of N-acetylcysteine on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats fed via total enteral nutrition

The effects of the dietary antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on alcoholic liver damage were examined in a total enteral nutrition (TEN) model of ethanol toxicity in which liver pathology occurs in the absence of endotoxemia. Ethanol treatment resulted in steatosis, inflammatory infiltrates, occasional foci of necrosis, and elevated ALT in the absence of increased expression of the endotoxin receptor CD 14, a marker of Kupffer cell activation by LPS. In addition, ethanol treatment induced CYP 2 E1 and increased TNFalpha and TGFbeta mRNA expression accompanied by suppressed hepatic IL-4 mRNA expression. Ethanol treatment also resulted in the hepatic accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxynonenal (HNE) protein adducts, decreased antioxidant capacity, and increased antibody titers toward serum hydroxyethyl radical (HER), MDA, and HNE adducts. NAC treatment increased cytosolic antioxidant capacity, abolished ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation, and inhibited the formation of antibodies toward HNE and HER adducts without interfering with CYP 2 E1 induction. NAC also decreased ethanol-induced ALT release and inflammation and prevented significant loss of hepatic GSH content. However, the improvement in necrosis score and reduction of TNFalpha mRNA elevation did not reach statistical significance. Although a direct correlation was observed among hepatic MDA and HNE adduct content and TNFalpha mRNA expression, inflammation, and necrosis scores, no correlation was observed between oxidative stress markers or TNFalpha and steatosis score. These data suggest that ethanol-induced oxidative stress can contribute to inflammation and liver injury even in the absence of Kupffer cell activation by endotoxemia.     

Resveratrol alleviates alcoholic fatty liver in mice

Alcoholic fatty liver is associated with inhibition of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), two critical signaling molecules regulating the pathways of hepatic lipid metabolism in animals. Resveratrol, a dietary polyphenol, has been identified as a potent activator for both SIRT1 and AMPK. In the present study, we have carried out in vivo animal experiments that test the ability of resveratrol to reverse the inhibitory effects of chronic ethanol feeding on hepatic SIRT1-AMPK signaling system and to prevent the development of alcoholic liver steatosis. Resveratrol treatment increased SIRT1 expression levels and stimulated AMPK activity in livers of ethanol-fed mice. The resveratrol-mediated increase in activities of SIRT1 and AMPK was associated with suppression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator alpha (PGC-1alpha). In parallel, in ethanol-fed mice, resveratrol administration markedly increased circulating adiponectin levels and enhanced mRNA expression of hepatic adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1/R2). In conclusion, resveratrol treatment led to reduced lipid synthesis and increased rates of fatty acid oxidation and prevented alcoholic liver steatosis. The protective action of resveratrol is in whole or in part mediated through the upregulation of a SIRT1-AMPK signaling system in the livers of ethanol-fed mice. Our study suggests that resveratrol may serve as a promising agent for preventing or treating human alcoholic fatty liver disease.     

microRNA-141 is associated with hepatic steatosis by downregulating the sirtuin1/AMP-activated protein kinase pathway in hepatocytes

Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) is a crucial regulator of metabolism and it is implicated in the metabolic pathophysiology of several disorders inclusive of Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-141 in hepatic steatosis via regulation of SIRT1/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in hepatocytes. Liver hepatocellular cells (HepG2) were treated with high concentration of glucose to be subsequently used for the assessment of miR-141 and SIRT1 levels in a model of hepatic steatosis. On the other hand, cells were transfected with miR-141 to investigate its effect on hepatocyte steatosis and viability as well as SIRT1 expression and activity along with AMPK phosphorylation. Targeting of SIRT1 by miR-141 was evaluated by bioinformatics tools and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Following the intracellular accumulation of lipids in HepG2 cells, the level of miR-141 was increased while SIRT1 mRNA and protein levels, as well as AMPK phosphorylation, was decreased. Transfection with miR-141 mimic significantly downregulated SIRT1 expression and activity while miR-141 inhibitor had the opposite effects. Additionally, modulation of miR-141 levels significantly influenced AMPK phosphorylation status. The results of luciferase reporter assay verified SIRT1 to be directly targeted by miR-141. miR-141 could effectively suppress SIRT1 and lead to decreased AMPK phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. Thus, miR-141/SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway may be considered a potential target for the therapeutic management of NAFLD.     

Morin reduces inflammatory responses and alleviates lipid accumulation in hepatocytes

Morin (MO), a natural bioflavinoid, exists in many herbs. Previous studies have acclaimed MO's anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antifibrotic, anticancer, and antihyperglycemic biological effects. This study aimed to assess the molecular mechanism of MO involved in the oleic acid (OA)-induced inflammatory damage and lipid accumulation in HepG2 cell and tyloxapol (Ty)-induced hyperlipidemia in mice. We found that MO can efficaciously mitigate reactive tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in OA-induced HepG2 cell and in tyloxapol-induced mice. Next, the study testified that MO apparently suppressed OA-excited nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways in HepG2 cell. In addition, MO distinctly upregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and decreased the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) in OA-induced HepG2 cell and in tyloxapol-induced mice, both of which are dependent upon the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protein kinase B (AKT). In conclusion, these results suggest that MO has protective potential against hyperlipidemia and steatosis, and the potential mechanism may have a close relation with activation of PPARα and inhibition of SREBP-1c.     

A sesquiterpene lactone, costunolide, interacts with microtubule protein and inhibits the growth of MCF-7 cells

Costunolide is an active sesquiterpene lactone of medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer activity. Nevertheless, the pharmacological pathways of costunolide have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study we showed that costunolide exerts a dose-dependent antiproliferative activity in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. In addition, light microscopy observations indicated that costunolide affected nuclear organization and reorganized microtubule architecture. The antiproliferative and antimicrotubular effects of costunolide were not influenced by paclitaxel, well-known microtubule-stabilizing anticancer agent. The microtubule-interacting activity of costunolide was confirmed by in vitro studies on purified microtubular protein. In fact, costunolide demonstrated polymerizing ability, by inducing the formation of well organized microtubule polymers. Our data suggest an interaction of costunolide with microtubules, which may represent a new intracellular target for this drug.