scholarly journals Histopathological and Molecular Signatures of a Mouse Model of Acute-on-Chronic Alcoholic Liver Injury Demonstrate Concordance With Human Alcoholic Hepatitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 170 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Furuya ◽  
Joseph A Cichocki ◽  
Kranti Konganti ◽  
Kostiantyn Dreval ◽  
Takeki Uehara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Alcoholic Hepatitis ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Feeding Tube ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Chronic Alcoholic ◽  
Human Alcoholic

Abstract Human alcoholic hepatitis (AH) carries a high mortality rate. AH is an acute-on-chronic form of liver injury characterized by hepatic steatosis, ballooned hepatocytes, neutrophil infiltration, and pericellular fibrosis. We aimed to study the pathogenesis of AH in an animal model which combines chronic hepatic fibrosis with intragastric alcohol administration. Adult male C57BL6/J mice were treated with CCl4 (0.2 ml/kg, 2×weekly by intraperitoneal injections for 6 weeks) to induce chronic liver fibrosis. Then, ethyl alcohol (up to 25 g/kg/day for 3 weeks) was administered continuously to mice via a gastric feeding tube, with or without one-half dose of CCl4. Liver and serum markers and liver transcriptome were evaluated to characterize acute-on-chronic-alcoholic liver disease in our model. CCl4 or alcohol treatment alone induced liver fibrosis or steatohepatitis, respectively, findings that were consistent with expected pathology. Combined treatment resulted in a marked exacerbation of liver injury, as evident by the development of inflammation, steatosis, and pericellular fibrosis, pathological features of human AH. E. coli and Candida were also detected in livers of mice cotreated with CCl4 and alcohol, indicating pathogen translocation from gut to liver, similar to human AH. Importantly, liver transcriptomic changes specific to combined treatment group demonstrated close concordance with pathways perturbed in patients with severe AH. Overall, mice treated with CCl4 and alcohol displayed key molecular and pathological characteristics of human AH—pericellular fibrosis, increased hepatic bacterial load, and dysregulation of the same molecular pathways. This model may be useful for developing therapeutics for AH.

scholarly journals TLR2 and TLR9 contribute to alcohol-mediated liver injury through induction of CXCL1 and neutrophil infiltration

2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (1) ◽  
pp. G30-G41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Seok Roh ◽  
Bi Zhang ◽  
Rohit Loomba ◽  
Ekihiro Seki
Keyword(s):  
Liver Injury ◽  
Alcoholic Hepatitis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ethanol Feeding ◽  
Binge Ethanol ◽  
Deficient Mice ◽  
Cxcl1 Expression

Although previous studies reported the involvement of the TLR4-TRIF pathway in alcohol-induced liver injury, the role of TLR2 and TLR9 signaling in alcohol-mediated neutrophil infiltration and liver injury has not been elucidated. Since alcohol binge drinking is recognized to induce more severe form of alcohol liver disease, we used a chronic-binge ethanol-feeding model as a mouse model for early stage of alcoholic hepatitis. Whereas a chronic-binge ethanol feeding induced alcohol-mediated liver injury in wild-type mice, TLR2- and TLR9-deficient mice showed reduced liver injury. Induction of neutrophil-recruiting chemokines, including Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Cxcl5, and hepatic neutrophil infiltration were increased in wild-type mice, but not in TLR2- and TLR9-deficient mice. In vivo depletion of Kupffer cells (KCs) by liposomal clodronate reduced liver injury and the expression of Il1b, but not Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Cxcl5, suggesting that KCs are partly associated with liver injury, but not neutrophil recruitment, in a chronic-binge ethanol-feeding model. Notably, hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) produce high amounts of CXCL1 in ethanol-treated mice. The treatment with TLR2 and TLR9 ligands synergistically upregulated CXCL1 expression in hepatocytes. Moreover, the inhibitors for CXCR2, a receptor for CXCL1, and MyD88 suppressed neutrophil infiltration and liver injury induced by chronic-binge ethanol treatment. Consistent with the above findings, hepatic CXCL1 expression was highly upregulated in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. In a chronic-binge ethanol-feeding model, the TLR2 and TLR9-dependent MyD88-dependent pathway mediates CXCL1 production in hepatocytes and HSCs; the CXCL1 then promotes neutrophil infiltration into the liver via CXCR2, resulting in the development of alcohol-mediated liver injury.

Measurement of Connective Tissue Parameters in Serum for Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Liver Fibrosis

1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M Gressner
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Serum Level ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Membrane Glycoprotein ◽  
Chronic Alcoholic ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis

Hepatic fibrogenesis, i.e. activated synthesis and excessive intercellular deposition of connective tissue molecules (collagens, adhesive glycoproteins, proteoglycans) occurs in chronic alcoholic and viral liver injury and, less frequently, in some other conditions. The process may be monitored biochemically by the radioimmunoassay of some connective tissue molecules or their fragments and by the measurement of the activity of certain enzymes in serum. Currently, the radioimmunoassay of the aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen in serum reflects best the activity of liver fibrogenesis. The serum level of laminin, a high molecular weight basement membrane glycoprotein, was found to be correlated with an elevated portal venous pressure.

scholarly journals Possible unrecognised liver injury is associated with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628482110234
Author(s):  
Mario Romero-Cristóbal ◽  
Ana Clemente-Sánchez ◽  
Patricia Piñeiro ◽  
Jamil Cedeño ◽  
Laura Rayón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
The Impact

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening condition. A previous diagnosis of chronic liver disease is associated with poorer outcomes. Nevertheless, the impact of silent liver injury has not been investigated. We aimed to explore the association of pre-admission liver fibrosis indices with the prognosis of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: The work presented was an observational study in 214 patients with COVID-19 consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Pre-admission liver fibrosis indices were calculated. In-hospital mortality and predictive factors were explored with Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 59.58 (13.79) years; 16 patients (7.48%) had previously recognised chronic liver disease. Up to 78.84% of patients according to Forns, and 45.76% according to FIB-4, had more than minimal fibrosis. Fibrosis indices were higher in non-survivors [Forns: 6.04 (1.42) versus 4.99 (1.58), p < 0.001; FIB-4: 1.77 (1.17) versus 1.41 (0.91), p = 0.020)], but no differences were found in liver biochemistry parameters. Patients with any degree of fibrosis either by Forns or FIB-4 had a higher mortality, which increased according to the severity of fibrosis ( p < 0.05 for both indexes). Both Forns [HR 1.41 (1.11–1.81); p = 0.006] and FIB-4 [HR 1.31 (0.99–1.72); p = 0.051] were independently related to survival after adjusting for the Charlson comorbidity index, APACHE II, and ferritin. Conclusion: Unrecognised liver fibrosis, assessed by serological tests prior to admission, is independently associated with a higher risk of death in patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the ICU.

scholarly journals AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) is an easy-to-use predictor score for cardiovascular risk in metabolic subjects

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo De Matteis ◽  
Marica Cariello ◽  
Giusi Graziano ◽  
Stefano Battaglia ◽  
Patrizia Suppressa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Visceral Obesity ◽  
Premenopausal Women ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Non Invasive

AbstractVisceral obesity is characterized by a low-grade inflammatory systemic state that contributes to the genesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), frequently associated with liver fibrosis. Non-invasive serum markers have recently emerged as reliable, easy-to-use scores to predict liver fibrosis. NAFLD is often linked to metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Thus, in this cross-sectional study, we investigated in a population of 1225 subjects if AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), one of the non-invasive liver fibrosis serum markers, can predict cardiovascular risk (CVR). APRI has been previously validated as an efficient score to predict liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis patients with a cut-off of 0.5 for fibrosis and 1.5 for cirrhosis. Our study showed that APRI significantly correlates with CVR and determines, when elevated, a significant increase in CVR for both genders, especially females. This spike in CVR, observed when APRI is elevated, is relatively high in patients in the age of 51–65 years, but it is significantly higher in younger and premenopausal women, approaching risk values usually typical of men at the same age. Taken together, our data highlighted the role of APRI as a reliable predictor easy-to-use score for CVR in metabolic patients.

Ranscriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Yiqi Rougan Decoction in Reducing CCl4-induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Xiong ◽  
Jinyuan Hu ◽  
Chen Xuan ◽  
Jiayu Tian ◽  
Kaiyue Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator

Abstract BackgroundLiver fibrosis develops from various chronic liver diseases, and there is currently a lack of specific treatment strategies. Yiqi Rougan decoction (YQRG) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has shown durative effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis; however, the mechanism associated with YQRG-related improvements in liver fibrosis remains to be experimentally determined. This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of YQRG on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its molecular mechanism. MethodsWe used low-, medium-, and high-dose YQRG to treat CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats, followed by assessment of liver injury and fibrosis according to liver appearance, body weight, liver mass index, histopathologic examination, and serum testing. Additionally, we performed transcriptome analysis using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology, including cluster, Gene Ontology (GO), and pathway analyses, to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and protein and gene expression were detected by immunofluorescence (IFC), western blot, and real-time quantitative PCR. ResultsThe results showed that YQRG effectively alleviated CCl4-induced liver injury and fibrosis in rats, including observations of improved liver function, decreased activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and decreased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Moreover, we identified downregulated and upregulated DEGs in the model group relative to the control and YQRG-treated groups, with GO analysis revealing their enrichment in biological processes, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis, and autophagy. Furthermore, pathway analysis showed that YQRG treatment downregulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/AKT) signalling pathways and upregulated other signalling pathways, including those related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPAR) and AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK), with these finding subsequently verified experimentally. ConclusionThese findings showed that YQRG improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis through multiple mechanisms and pathways, offering critical insight into the YQRG-related therapeutic mechanism and promoting further research into its potential application.

Targeting ER protein TXNDC5 in hepatic stellate cell mitigates liver fibrosis by repressing non-canonical TGFβ signalling

Gut ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2021-325065
Author(s):  
Chen-Ting Hung ◽  
Tung-Hung Su ◽  
Yen-Ting Chen ◽  
Yueh-Feng Wu ◽  
You-Tzung Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β1 ◽  
Duct Ligation ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Production ◽  
Matrix Production

Background and objectivesLiver fibrosis (LF) occurs following chronic liver injuries. Currently, there is no effective therapy for LF. Recently, we identified thioredoxin domain containing 5 (TXNDC5), an ER protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), as a critical mediator of cardiac and lung fibrosis. We aimed to determine if TXNDC5 also contributes to LF and its potential as a therapeutic target for LF.DesignHistological and transcriptome analyses on human cirrhotic livers were performed. Col1a1-GFPTg, Alb-Cre;Rosa26-tdTomato and Tie2-Cre/ERT2;Rosa26-tdTomato mice were used to determine the cell type(s) where TXNDC5 was induced following liver injury. In vitro investigations were conducted in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Col1a2-Cre/ERT2;Txndc5fl/fl (Txndc5cKO) and Alb-Cre;Txndc5fl/fl (Txndc5Hep-cKO) mice were generated to delete TXNDC5 in HSCs and hepatocytes, respectively. Carbon tetrachloride treatment and bile duct ligation surgery were employed to induce liver injury/fibrosis in mice. The extent of LF was quantified using histological, imaging and biochemical analyses.ResultsTXNDC5 was upregulated markedly in human and mouse fibrotic livers, particularly in activated HSC at the fibrotic foci. TXNDC5 was induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in HSCs and it was both required and sufficient for the activation, proliferation, survival and extracellular matrix production of HSC. Mechanistically, TGFβ1 induces TXNDC5 expression through increased ER stress and ATF6-mediated transcriptional regulation. In addition, TXNDC5 promotes LF by redox-dependent JNK and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation in HSCs through its PDI activity, activating HSCs and making them resistant to apoptosis. HSC-specific deletion of Txndc5 reverted established LF in mice.ConclusionsER protein TXNDC5 promotes LF through redox-dependent HSC activation, proliferation and excessive extracellular matrix production. Targeting TXNDC5, therefore, could be a potential novel therapeutic strategy to ameliorate LF.

scholarly journals MAG-EPA reduces severity of DSS-induced colitis in rats

2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (10) ◽  
pp. G808-G821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Morin ◽  
Pierre U. Blier ◽  
Samuel Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Neutrophil Infiltration ◽  
Antagonistic Effect ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Strong Activity ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Biochemical Analyses ◽  
Relaxing Effect

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the intestinal mucosa of the large bowel. Omega-3 (ω3) fatty acid supplementation has been associated with a decreased production of inflammatory cytokines involved in UC pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the preventive and therapeutic potential of eicosapentaenoic acid monoglyceride (MAG-EPA) in an in vivo rats model of UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). DSS rats were untreated or treated per os with MAG-EPA. Morphological, histological, and biochemical analyses were performed following MAG-EPA administrations. Morphological and histological analyses revealed that MAG-EPA pretreatment (12 days pre-DSS) and treatment (6 days post-DSS) exhibited strong activity in reducing severity of disease in DSS rats. Following MAG-EPA administrations, tissue levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were markedly lower compared with rats treated only with DSS. MAG-EPA per os administration decrease neutrophil infiltration in colon tissues, as depicted by myelohyperoxidase activity. Results also revealed a reduced activation of NF-κB pathways correlated with a decreased expression of COX-2 in colon homogenates derived from MAG-EPA-pretreated and treated rats. Tension measurements performed on colon tissues revealed that contractile responses to methacholine and relaxing effect induced by sodium nitroprusside were largely increased following MAG-EPA treatment. The combined treatment of MAG-EPA and vitamin E displayed an antagonistic effect on anti-inflammatory properties of MAG-EPA in DSS rats.

scholarly journals Broiler recycled litter treatments against Clostridium perfringens and enterobacteria in conventional and dark house systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Paulo Benedet ◽  
Fernanda Felicetti Perosa ◽  
Isabela Gimenes da Silva ◽  
Marcella Zampoli Troncarelli ◽  
Ricardo Hummes Rauber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Perfringens ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Broiler Litter ◽  
Subsequent Application ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
Broiler House

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of quicklime and shallow fermentation applications on the reduction of Clostridium perfringens and enterobacteria in recycled poultry litter, in dark house and conventional systems. Eighty litter samples were evaluated, being divided into four groups: litter treated with quicklime in dark house; litter treated with shallow fermentation and quicklime in dark house; and litter treated with quicklime in conventional broiler house; litter treated with shallow fermentation and quicklime in conventional broiler house. Samples were collected one day before slaughter and five days after litter treatment and were subjected to the quantitative microbiological analysis of enterobacteria and C. perfringens. The bacterial load in pre-treated litter was similar between the dark house and conventional systems. The groups treated only with quicklime showed a significant reduction of enterobacteria in both systems. The reduction of C. perfringens was only observed in the litter group treated with shallow fermentation and quicklime, in conventional broiler house. The use of 500 g m-2 quicklime is the most effective method to reduce enterobacteria load in broiler litter both in the dark house and conventional broiler house systems. The combined treatment of shallow fermentation for seven days with the subsequent application of 500 g m-2 quicklime is efficient for the reduction of C. perfringens in broiler litter, in conventional broiler house.

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