Attenuation of acute and chronic liver injury in rats by iron-deficient diet

Oxidative stress due to iron deposition in hepatocytes or Kupffer cells contributes to the initiation and perpetuation of liver injury. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between dietary iron and liver injuries in rats. Liver injury was initiated by the administration of thioacetamide or ligation of the common bile duct in rats fed a control diet (CD) or iron-deficient diet (ID). In the acute liver injury model induced by thioacetamide, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, as well as hepatic levels of lipid peroxide and 4-hydroxynonenal, were significantly decreased in the ID group. The expression of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling positivity showed a similar tendency. The expression of interleukin-1β and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 mRNA was suppressed in the ID group. In liver fibrosis induced by an 8-wk thioacetamide administration, ID suppressed collagen deposition and smooth muscle α-actin expression. The expressions of collagen 1A2, transforming growth factor β, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β mRNA were all significantly decreased in the ID group. Liver fibrosis was additionally suppressed in the bile-duct ligation model by ID. In culture experiments, deferoxamine attenuated the activation process of rat hepatic stellate cells, a dominant producer of collagen in the liver. In conclusion, reduced dietary iron is considered to be beneficial in improving acute and chronic liver injuries by reducing oxidative stress. The results obtained in this study support the clinical usefulness of an iron-reduced diet for the improvement of liver disorders induced by chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

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Aspirin induces autophagy and alleviates liver fibrosis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in mice model of chronic liver injury

Journal of Hepatology ◽

10.1016/s0168-8278(20)31532-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. S527

Author(s):

Adil Bhat ◽

Sudrishti Chaudhary ◽

Gaurav Yadav ◽

Anupama Parasar ◽

Chhagan Bihari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Mice Model ◽

Chronic Liver Injury

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Positive Effects of Ger-Gen-Chyn-Lian-Tang on Cholestatic Liver Fibrosis in Bile Duct Ligation-Challenged Mice

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20174181 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (17) ◽

pp. 4181

Author(s):

Zi-Yu Chang ◽

Chin-Chang Chen ◽

Hsuan-Miao Liu ◽

Yuan-Chieh Yeh ◽

Tung-Yi Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Bile Duct ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Bile Duct Ligation ◽

Smooth Muscle Actin ◽

Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Duct Ligation

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Ger-Gen-Chyn-Lian-Tang (GGCLT) suppresses oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis during experimental liver fibrosis through the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-mediated pathway. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to a sham-control or bile duct ligation (BDL) group with or without treatment with GGCLT at 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were analyzed using a diagnostic kit. Liver histopathology and hepatic status parameters were measured. Compared to control mice, the BDL mice exhibited an enlargement in liver HIF-1α levels, which was suppressed by 100 and 300 mg/kg GGCLT treatments (control: BDL: BDL + GGCLT-100: BDL + GGCLT-300 = 0.95 ± 0.07: 1.95 ± 0.12: 1.43 ± 0.05: 1.12 ± 0.10 fold; p < 0.05). GGCLT restrained the induction of hepatic hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde levels in the mice challenged with BDL, further increasing the hepatic glutathione levels. Furthermore, in response to increased hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis, significant levels of ALT, nuclear factor kappa B, transforming growth factor-β, α-smooth muscle actin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and procollagen-III were found in BDL mice, which were attenuated with GGCLT. In addition, GGCLT reduced the induction of angiogenesis in the liver after BDL by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors 1 and 2. In conclusion, the anti-liver fibrosis effect of GGCLT, which suppresses hepatic oxidative stress and angiogenesis, may be dependent on an HIF-1α-mediated pathway.

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Liver fibrosis: a balance of ACEs?

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20070026 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 113 (3) ◽

pp. 109-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Fiona J. Warner ◽

John S. Lubel ◽

Geoffrey W. McCaughan ◽

Peter W. Angus

Keyword(s):

Angiotensin Ii ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Tissue Growth ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Converting Enzyme ◽

Chronic Liver Injury

There is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that the RAS (renin–angiotensin system) contributes to tissue injury and fibrosis in chronic liver disease. A number of studies have shown that components of a local hepatic RAS are up-regulated in fibrotic livers of humans and in experimental animal models. Angiotensin II, the main physiological effector molecule of this system, mediates liver fibrosis by stimulating fibroblast proliferation (myofibroblast and hepatic stellate cells), infiltration of inflammatory cells, and the release of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors such as TGF (transforming growth factor)-β1, IL (interleukin)-1β, MCP (monocyte chemoattractant protein)-1 and connective tissue growth factor. Furthermore, blockade of the RAS by ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonists significantly attenuate liver fibrosis in experimental models of chronic liver injury. In 2000 ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2), a human homologue of ACE, was identified. ACE2 efficiently degrades angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1–7), a peptide which has recently been shown to have both vasodilatory and tissue protective effects. This suggests that ACE2 and its products may be part of an alternate enzymatic pathway in the RAS, which counterbalances the generation and actions of angiotensin II, the ACE2–angiotensin-(1–7)–Mas axis. This review focuses on the potential roles of the RAS, angiotensin II and ACE2 in chronic liver injury and fibrogenesis.

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Naturally Occurring Nrf2 Activators: Potential in Treatment of Liver Injury

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2016/3453926 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Ravirajsinh N. Jadeja ◽

Kapil K. Upadhyay ◽

Ranjitsinh V. Devkar ◽

Sandeep Khurana

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Antioxidant Response ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Related Factor ◽

Chronic Liver Injury ◽

Potential Therapeutic Target ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Liver Injuries ◽

Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Oxidative stress plays a major role in acute and chronic liver injury. In hepatocytes, oxidative stress frequently triggers antioxidant response by activating nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor, which upregulates various cytoprotective genes. Thus, Nrf2 is considered a potential therapeutic target to halt liver injury. Several studies indicate that activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway ameliorates liver injury. The hepatoprotective potential of naturally occurring compounds has been investigated in various models of liver injuries. In this review, we comprehensively appraise various phytochemicals that have been assessed for their potential to halt acute and chronic liver injury by enhancing the activation of Nrf2 and have the potential for use in humans.

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

Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology ◽

10.1177/17562848211023410 ◽

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.

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Developmental iron deficiency dysregulates TET activity and DNA hydroxymethylation in the rat hippocampus and cerebellum

Developmental Neuroscience ◽

10.1159/000521704 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda K. Barks ◽

Montana M. Beeson ◽

Timothy C. Hallstrom ◽

Michael K. Georgieff ◽

Phu V. Tran

Keyword(s):

Iron Deficiency ◽

Neural Circuit ◽

Epigenetic Modification ◽

Rat Hippocampus ◽

Dietary Iron ◽

Deficient Diet ◽

Dna Hydroxymethylation ◽

Iron Treatment ◽

Iron Deficient ◽

Increased Risk

Iron deficiency (ID) during neurodevelopment is associated with lasting cognitive and socioemotional deficits, and increased risk for neuropsychiatric disease throughout the lifespan. These neurophenotypical changes are underlain by gene dysregulation in the brain that outlasts the period of ID; however, the mechanisms by which ID establishes and maintains gene expression changes are incompletely understood. The epigenetic modification 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), or DNA hydroxymethylation, is one candidate mechanism because of its dependence on iron-containing TET enzymes. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of fetal-neonatal ID on regional brain TET activity, Tet expression, and 5hmC in the developing rat hippocampus and cerebellum, and to determine whether changes are reversible with dietary iron treatment. Timed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed iron deficient diet (ID; 4 mg/kg Fe) from gestational day (G)2 to generate iron deficient anemic (IDA) offspring. Control dams were fed iron sufficient diet (IS; 200 mg/kg Fe). At postnatal day (P)7, a subset of ID-fed litters was randomized to IS diet, generating treated IDA (TIDA) offspring. At P15, hippocampus and cerebellum were isolated for subsequent analysis. TET activity was quantified by ELISA from nuclear proteins. Expression of Tet1, Tet2, and Tet3 was quantified by qPCR from total RNA. Global %5hmC was quantified by ELISA from genomic DNA. ID increased DNA hydroxymethylation (p=0.0105), with a corresponding increase in TET activity (p<0.0001) and Tet3 expression (p<0.0001) in the P15 hippocampus. In contrast, ID reduced TET activity (p=0.0016) in the P15 cerebellum, with minimal effect on DNA hydroxymethylation. Neonatal dietary iron treatment resulted in partial normalization of these changes in both brain regions. These results demonstrate that the TET/DNA hydroxymethylation system is disrupted by developmental ID in a brain region-specific manner. Differential regional disruption of this epigenetic system may contribute to the lasting neural circuit dysfunction and neurobehavioral dysfunction associated with developmental ID.

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Cellular Mechanisms of Tissue Fibrosis. 5. Novel insights into liver fibrosis

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.00230.2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 305 (8) ◽

pp. C789-C799 ◽

Cited By ~ 137

Author(s):

Ariane Mallat ◽

Sophie Lotersztajn

Keyword(s):

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Cell Injury ◽

Parenchymal Cell ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Special Focus ◽

Chronic Liver Injury ◽

Cellular Mechanisms ◽

Extracellular Matrix Components ◽

Liver Fibrogenesis

Liver fibrosis is the common scarring reaction associated with chronic liver injury that results from prolonged parenchymal cell injury and/or inflammation. The fibrogenic response is characterized by progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix components enriched in fibrillar collagens and a failure of matrix turnover. This process is driven by a heterogeneous population of hepatic myofibroblasts, which mainly derive from hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts. Regression of fibrosis can be achieved by the successful control of chronic liver injury, owing to termination of the fibrogenic reaction following clearance of hepatic myofibroblasts and restoration of fibrolytic pathways. Understanding of the complex network underlying liver fibrogenesis has allowed the identification of a large number of antifibrotic targets, but no antifibrotic drug has as yet been approved. This review will highlight recent advances regarding the mechanisms that regulate liver fibrogenesis and fibrosis regression, with special focus on novel signaling pathways and the role of inflammatory cells. Translation of these findings to therapies will require continued efforts to develop multitarget therapeutic approaches that will improve the grim prognosis of liver cirrhosis.

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Vitamin D inhibits development of liver fibrosis in an animal model but cannot ameliorate established cirrhosis

AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpgi.00132.2013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 308 (2) ◽

pp. G112-G120 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Shirley Abramovitch ◽

Efrat Sharvit ◽

Yosef Weisman ◽

Amir Bentov ◽

Eli Brazowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Bile Duct ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Bile Duct Ligation ◽

Active Form ◽

Preventive Treatment ◽

Antifibrotic Effect ◽

Duct Ligation

1,25(OH)2D3, the active form of vitamin D, has an antiproliferative and antifibrotic effect on hepatic stellate cells. Our aim was to investigate the potential of 1,25(OH)2D3 to inhibit the development of liver fibrosis and to ameliorate established fibrosis in vivo. The antifibrotic effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 was investigated in a thioacetamide (TAA) model (as a preventive treatment and as a remedial treatment) and in a bile duct ligation model. In the preventive model, rats received simultaneously intraperitoneum injection of TAA and/or 1,25(OH)2D3 for 10 wk. In the remedial model, rats were treated with TAA for 10 wk and then received 1,25(OH)2D3 or saline for 8 wk. Fibrotic score was determined by Masson staining. Collagen I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression were measured by Western blot analysis and real-time PCR. Hypercalemia was detected by chemistry measurements. Preventive treatment of 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly suppressed liver fibrosis both macroscopically and microscopically and significantly lowered the fibrotic score of the TAA + 1,25(OH)2D3 group compared with the TAA group. 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly inhibited expression of PDGF and TGF-β by ∼50% and suppressed the expression of collagen Iα1, TIMP1, and α-SMA by approximately three-, two-, and threefold, respectively. In contrast, 1,25(OH)2D3 was inefficient in amelioration of established liver fibrosis. Administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 to bile duct ligation rats led to a high mortality rate probably caused by hypercalcemia. We conclude that 1,25(OH)2D3 may be considered as a potential preventive treatment in an in vivo model but failed to ameliorate established cirrhosis.

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