Influence of heme oxygenase-1 expression on immune liver fibrosis induced by cobalt protoporphyrin in rats

AIM:To investigate the effect of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)expression on immune liver fibrosis induced by cobalt protoporphyrin(CoPP)in rats. METHODS:An immune liver fibrosis model of rat was established by administering human serum albumin (HSA).The rats were divided into CoPP,liver fibrosis and normal control groups.Rats in the CoPP group received intraperitoneal CoPP concurrently with HSA. Expression of HO-1 protein was observed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was performed to assess fibrosis proliferation and distribution,proliferation extent of fibroblasts,and alterations in hepatocytes and inflammatory cells.TypeⅠandⅢcollagens were detected with Van Gieson’s(VG)staining and Foot’s reticular fiber staining,respectively.In addition, spindle-shaped cells existing at perisinusoidal locations beyond portal and septa areas were investigated with HE staining. RESULTS:Western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of HO-1 protein was higher in the CoPP group than in the liver fibrosis group(P<0.05).Compared with the liver fibrosis group,the serological index of hepatic fibrosis in the CoPP group decreased significantly(P<0.05).HE,VG and Foot’s staining revealed that administration of CoPP reduced the extent of hepatic fibrosis.The levels of serological indicators and the number of spindle-shaped cells at perisinuous locations beyond the portal and septa areas were reduced in the CoPP group.Only a few inflammatory cells were seen around the portal areas and central veins in the CoPP group. CONCLUSION:Increased endogenous HO-1 may suppress liver fibrosis by protecting liver cells, inhibiting inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatic stellate cell transformation.

Effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats: What we know so far?

To the editor:We read with great interest the article entitled "Comparative study of the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats" by Ulmer et al.[1].The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of terlipressin ver-

Pterostilbene Ameliorates Glycemic Control,Dyslipidemia and Liver Injury in Type 2 Diabetes Rats

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is typified by the increment of chronic blood glucose levels that is caused by an absolute and/or a relative deficiency of insulin,accounts for 90%of diabetes and causes a range of complications[1].

Studies of the Kinetochore Proteins of the Regenerating Liver and the Liver Cells of Rats at Different Stages of Development

The kinetochore composition of rat liver cells was studied by indirect immunofluorescence andimmunoblotting using human anti-kinetochore/centromere autoantibodies(ACAs).Besides threemajor antigens(50kD,42 kD and 34 kD),ACAs used in this study could also identify those of 32-30 kD and 20 kD in newborn rat liver cells,90 kD in old rat liver cells,37 kD and 32-30 kD inregenerating liver cells.These results indicate that some kinetochore antigen(s)may be related to cellproliferation or specific for different stages of development.

ALTERATIONS IN THE PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND CONTENTS OF RIBOSOME AND POLYSOME IN LIVEROF SELENIUM－DEFICIENT RATS

In the present experiments the changes in levels of ribosome,polysome and 3H-leucine incorporation rate in liver post-mitochondrial supernatant (PM-supernatant) were investigated in Sedericient and Se-supplented rats.The results demonstrated that the amounts of ribosome and polysome as well as the ratio of polysome to ribosome in liver PM-supernatant from the Se-deficient rats were all remarkahly decreased.In the meantime,the rate of protein synthesis expressed as radioactivity or 3H-leucine incorporated into protein in the PM-supernatant system also decreased significantly.The results suggest that the decreases of ribosomes and proportion of ribosomal aggregates in PM-supernatant may be responsible for the decrease of the protein synthesis activity in liver of the Se-deficient animals.

Bitter Melon Powder Protects against Obesity-associated Fatty Liver Disease by Improving Colonic Microenvironment in Rats with High-fat Diet-induced Obesity

This study explored how bitter melon powder （BMP） alters the colonic microenvironment during the development of obesity-associated fatty liver in rats. We observed that BMP effectively inhibited the body weight gain and lipid accumulation in the liver, ameliorated glucose intolerance, and increased the colon weight after an 8-week treatment compared to that in the high-fat diet （HFD） group. BMP significantly decreased fecal water toxicity towards HT-29 cells, as revealed by the cell counting kit （CCK）-8 assay results, and the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in colon mucosa. Additionally, gut permeability in the BMP group was restored to normal levels. Finally, BMP alleviated the inflammatory state of the rat colon mucosa and liver tissues as well as the systemic inflammation.

Gene transfer of huCTLA4-Ig to inhibit the acute rejection of liver allograft in rats

To observe the effect of gene transfer of huCTLA4-Ig to inhibit the acute rejection of liver allograft in rats.Methods With AdEasy vector system,the recombinant adenovirus containing huCTLA4-Ig gene was constructed.Using ex vivo gene transfer technique,exogenous gene was introduced to the liver graft during cold preservation and expressed locally in the graft.The effect of inhibition of acute rejection and inducing liver graft tolerance was observed.Results No recipients in group A (without any treatment,n=5) or group B (treated with Ad-GFP,n=4) died within 3 weeks after transplantation and severe acute rejection (massive periportal infiltration,endothelilitis,damage to biliary epithelium and severe tissue destruction) was confirmed pathologically in the graft.In contrast,all recipients in group C (treated with Ad-huCTLA4-Ig,n=5) achieved long-term liver allograft survival (>150 days).Histological examination of Ad-huCTLA4-Ig transduced allografts demonstrated a mild to moderate periportal inflammation and mild injury to liver graft on day 8 posttransplant.A mild mononuclear infiltration was observed;however,there was complete preservation of the bild ducts and no evidence of vascular injury on day 150 posttransplant.The mean IL-2 concentration in serum was (362.09±45.84) ng/L at day 1 pretransplant.In control animals (groups A and B),serum IL-2 concentration was elevated to a high level within 7 days posttransplant,which was about 1.5 to 2.5 times as much as that before transplant.In contrast,in huCTLA4-Ig-treated animals (groups C),IL-2 concentration in serum was maintained at a relative low level,which was near or less than that before transplant (P<0.01).Conclusion Using ex vivo gene transfer technique,huCTLA4-Ig gene can be introduced to the liver graft during cold preservation.The modified graft can express and excrete immunoregulatory protein locally,which can suppress acute alloimmune response and is responsible for prolongation of graft survival without using routine immunosuppressive drugs.These findings provide some experimental evidence that gene delivery of sequences encoding immunoregulatory proteins can be applied to clinical liver transplantation for inhibiting the acute alloimmune response and achieving graft tolerance.7 refs,2 tabs.

Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment improves hepatocyte ultrastructure in rat liver fibrosis

AIM: To examine the ultrastructural changes after ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment in hepatocytes from experimentally induced fibrotic livers.METHODS: Liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats with CCl4 for 12 wk, and the rats were divided into two groups. Group I was treated with saline and group Ⅱ with UDCA (25 mg/kg per day) for 4 wk. All the rats were killed at wk 16. Mitochondria, nuclei, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) of hepatocytes were evaluated according to a scoring system.RESULTS: Mitochondria, nuclei, RER and SER injury scores in group Ⅱ were significantly lower than those in groupⅠ(P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: UDCA alleviates hepatocyte organelle injury in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis.

Identification of the metabolite and cytochrome P450 isoforms involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of TM208

To identify the metabolite and CYP450 isoforms involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of TM208. The present study investigated the metabolism of TM208 and the effects of selective CYP450 inhibitors on the metabolism of TM208 in rat liver microsomes. Various specific inhibitors of CYP were used to identify the isoforms of CYP involved in the metabolism of TM208. The inhibitor of CYP2D and that of CYP2B had strong inhibitory effects on TM208 metabolism in a concentration-de- pendant manner, the inhibitor of CYP1A had a modest inhibitory effect, and the inhibitor of CYP3A seemed not to have an obvious inhibitory effect on TM208 metabolism. TM208 might mainly be metabolized by CYP2D and CYP2B in rat liver microsomes.

Expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 during aging in rat liver

AIM: To investigate the expression and role of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) during natural aging in rat liver and to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. METHODS: The rats were divided into 3-mo-old group (n=5), 10-mo-old group (n=5) and 24-mo-old group (n=5). Histopathologic changes of liver were observed with HE and Masson stain. The location and protein expressions of TIMP-1 were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot; message RNA (mRNA) levels were measured in livers from rats of various ages by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). In addition, the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Histologic examination showed that the aging liver had excessive fatty degeneration and collagen deposition. Immunohistochemical staining showed that TIMP-1 related antigen in livers was located in cytoplasm. The protein expression of TTMP-1 was significantly higher in the oldest animals and the mRNA expression was increased significantly in the 24-mo-old rats (t= 4.61, P= 0.002<0.05, 24-vs 10-mo-old rats; t=4.31, P=0.003<0.05, 24- vs 3-mo-old rats). The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 had no change during aging; the ratios TIMP-1/MMP-2 and TIMP-1/MMP-9 in aging liver were significantly higher than those in maturation and young livers. CONCLUSION: TIMP-1 may play an important role in the process of liver aging.

MicroRNA expression profile and lipid metabolism characteristics in liver of rat undergoing high-fat diet

This study aimed to investigate the microRNA expression profile and the characteristics of lipid metabolism in the livers of rats undergoing a high-fat diet.Fifty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into a standard chow group(C group,N=10)and a high-fat diet group(H group,N=40).After 12 weeks,the rat body weight,body length,fat mass,and serum lipid concentration were measured.The expression profile of microRNAs and the gene and protein expression levels involved in lipid metabolism in rat liver were detected.Body fat and serum lipid concentrations were all significantly higher in the H group than those in the C group(p<0.05 or p<0.01).The expression of 10 microRNAs showed significant differences in the liver(p<0.05).In particular,the let-7 family expression levels significantly increased(p<0.05)in the H group compared with those in the C group.Compared with the C group,the high-fat diet resulted in low FAS,CPT1A,and ApoAI mRNA expression levels(p<0.05 or p<0.01)and high PPARαand FAT/CD36 mRNA expression levels in the H group rat liver(p<0.01).Meanwhile,the protein PPARα,FAS,CPT1A,FAT/CD36,and ApoAI expression levels were all significantly lower in the H group than those in the C group(p<0.05 or p<0.01).In conclusion,the high-fat diet increased the body fat and serum lipid levels and altered the 10 microRNA expression levels in the liver.The high-fat diet may affect hepatic carbohydrate metabolism and increase ectopic fat accumulation through let-7 family overexpression.The high-fat diet for 12 weeks decreased lipid metabolism level in the liver,thereby decreasing fatty acid synthesis,oxidation,and transport by down-regulating the PPARα,FAS,CPT1A,FAT/CD36,and ApoAI protein levels.

Protective Effect of Dimethyl-4,4'-Dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-Dimethylene Dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-Dicarboxylate (DDB) against Carcinogen-Induced Rat Liver Nuclear DNA Damage

The protective effect of DDB against carcinogen-induced DNA damage was examined in the present investigation. Preincubation of rat liver nuclei with DDB (1 mmol.L-1) resulted in 60% inhibition of binding of 3H-benzo (a) pyrene to nuclear DNA. Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) induced by aflatoxin BI (10^(-7) mol.L-1) in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes was also inhibited by DDB (10^(-6)-10^(-3)mol.L-1). Oral administration of DDB at 200 mg.kg-1 once daily for 3 d induced a significant increase of liver cytosol glutathione-S-transferase and microsomal UDPG-transferase activity in mice. These results indicate that DDB is able to directly or indirectly antagonize certain carcinogen-induced DNA damages.

Formation of Superoxide Radical and Hydrogen Peroxide Enhanced by Trinitrotoluene in Rat Liver, Brain, Kidney, and Testicle in Vitro and Monkey Liver in Vivo

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) increased the formation of adrenochrome from adrenaline and the formation of formaldehyde from methanol in rat liver mitochondria and microsomes in vitro as well as in monkey liver mitrochondria and microsomes in vivo. The effects were more prominent at higher TNT concentrations. These findings indicate that TNT enhances the production of superoxide radicals (O_2^-) and hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2). The production of O_2^- was more prominent in systems containing added TNT than in those containing added benzyl viologen. H_2O_2 production by mitochondria was more pronounced in the liver than in other organs, but its production by microsomes was more pronounced in the brain than in other organs. The results suggest that TNT undergoes cycling reduction which produces oxidative stress. 1989 Academic Press, Inc.

Metabolism of Mequindox in Isolated Rat Liver Cells

Mequindox （MEQ）, 3-methyl-2-quinoxalinacetyl-l,4-dioxide, is widely used in Chinese veterinary medicine as an antimicrobial agent and feed additive. Its toxicity has been reported to be closely related to its metabolism. To understand the pathways underlying MEQ＇s metabolism more clearly, we studied its metabolism in isolated rat liver cells by using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization hybrid linear trap quadrupole orbitrap （LC-LTQ-Orbitrap） mass spectrometry. The structures of MEQ metabolites and their product ions were readily and reliably characterized on the basis of accurate MS2 spectra and known structure of MEQ. Eleven metabolites were detected in isolated rat liver cells, two of which were detected for the first time in vitro. The major metabolic pathways reported previously for in vitro metabolism of MEQ in rat microsomes were confirmed in this study, including N O group reduction, carbonyl reduction, and methyl monohydroxylation. In addition, we fotmd that acetyl hydroxylation was an important pathway of MEQ metabolism. The results also demonstrate that cellular systems more closely simulate in vivo conditions than do other in vitro systems such as microsomes. Taken together, these data contribute to our understanding of the in vivo metabolism of MEQ.

Induction of chronic cholestasis without liver cirrhosis-Creation of an animal model

To analyze time intervals of inflammation and regeneration in a cholestatic rat liver model.METHODSIn 36 Lewis rats, divided into six groups of 6 animals (postoperative observation periods: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 wk), the main bile duct was ligated with two ligatures and observed for the periods mentioned above. For laboratory evaluation, cholestasis parameters (bilirubin, γ-GT), liver cell parameters (ASAT, ALAT) and liver synthesis parameters (quick, albumin) were determined. For histological analysis, HE, EvG, ASDCL and HMGB-1 stainings were performed. Furthermore, we used the mRNA of IL-33, GADD45a and p-21 for analyzing cellular stress and regeneration in cholestatic rats.RESULTSIn chemical laboratory and histological evaluation, a distinction between acute and chronic cholestatic liver injury with identification of inflammation and regeneration could be demonstrated by an increase in cholestasis (bilirubin: 1-wk group, 156.83 ± 34.12 μmol/L, P = 0.004) and liver cell parameters (ASAT: 2-wk group, 2.1 ± 2.19 μmol/L.s, P = 0.03; ALAT: 2-wk group, 1.03 ± 0.38 μmol/L.s, P = 0.03) after bile duct ligation (BDL). Histological evaluation showed an increase of bile ducts per portal field (3-wk group, 48 ± 6.13, P = 0.004) during the first four weeks after bile duct ligation. In addition to inflammation, which is an expression of acute cholestasis, there was an increase of necrotic areas in the histological sections (2-wk group, 1.38% ± 2.28% per slide, P = 0.002). Furthermore, the inflammation could be verified by ASDCL (4-wk group, 22 ± 5.93 positive cells per portal field, P = 0.041) and HMGB-1 [2-wk group, 13 ± 8.18 positive cells per field of view (FoV), P = 0.065] staining. Therefore, in summary of the laboratory evaluation and histological studies, acute cholestasis could be found during the first four weeks after bile duct ligation. Subsequently, the described parameters declined so that chronic cholestasis could be assumed. For quantification of secondary biliary cirrhosis, eosin staining was performed, which did not reveal any signs of liver remodeling, thus precluding the development of a chronic cholestasis model. Additionally, to establish the chronic cholestasis model, we evaluated liver regeneration capacity through measurements of IL-33, p-21 and GADD45a mRNA.CONCLUSIONWe created a chronic cholestasis model. The point of inflammatory and regenerative balance was reached after four weeks. This finding should be used for experimental approaches dealing with chronic cholestatic liver damage.

Establishment of a rat liver transplantation model with prolonged biliary warm ischemia time

AIM:To investigate the impact of different time points of secondary warm ischemia on bile duct in a rat autologous liver transplantation model with external bile drainage.METHODS:One hundred and thirty-six male inbred SD rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups(Ⅰ-Ⅳ) according to the secondary warm ischemia time of 0,10,20 and 40 min.A rat model of autologous liver transplantation with continuous external biliary drainage under ether anesthesia was established.Ten rats in each group were used to evaluate the one-week survival rate.At 6 h,24 h,3 d and 7 d after reperfusion of the hepatic artery,6 rats were killed in each group to collect the blood sample via the infrahepatic vena cava and the median lobe of liver for assay.Warm ischemia time of liver,cold perfusion time,anhepaticphase,operative duration for biliary external drainage and survival rates in the four groups were analyzed for the establishment of models.RESULTS:No significant difference was shown in warm ischemia time,anhepatic phase and operative duration for biliary external drainage among the four groups.Five of the 40 rats in this study evaluated for the one-week survival rate died,including three deaths of severe pulmonary infection in group Ⅳ.A significant decrease of one-week survival rate in group Ⅳ was noted compared with the other three groups.With the prolongation of the biliary warm ischemia time,the indexes of the liver function assessment were significantly elevated,and biliary epithelial cell apoptosis index also increased.Pathological examinations showed significantly aggravated inflammation in the portal area and bile duct epithelial cell injury with the prolonged secondary warm ischemia time.Microthrombi were found in the micrangium around the biliary tract in some sections from groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ.CONCLUSION:The relationship between secondary warm ischemia time and the bile duct injury degree is time-dependent,and 20 min of secondary warm ischemia time is feasible for the study of bile duct injury.

Performance of cold-preserved rat liver Microorgans as the biological component of a simplified prototype model of bioartificial liver

AIMTo develop a simplified bioartificial liver (BAL) device prototype, suitable to use freshly and preserved liver Microorgans (LMOs) as biological component. METHODSThe system consists of 140 capillary fibers through which goat blood is pumped. The evolution of hematocrit, plasma and extra-fiber fluid osmolality was evaluated without any biological component, to characterize the prototype. LMOs were cut and cold stored 48 h in BG35 and ViaSpan® solutions. Fresh LMOs were used as controls. After preservation, LMOs were loaded into the BAL and an ammonia overload was added. To assess LMOs viability and functionality, samples were taken to determine lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and ammonia detoxification capacity. RESULTSThe concentrations of ammonia and glucose, and the fluids osmolalities were matched after the first hour of perfusion, showing a proper exchange between blood and the biological compartment in the minibioreactor. After 120 min of perfusion, LMOs cold preserved in BG35 and ViaSpan® were able to detoxify 52.9% ± 6.5% and 53.6% ± 6.0%, respectively, of the initial ammonia overload. No significant differences were found with Controls (49.3% ± 8.8%, P ® cold preserved LMOs, respectively (n = 6, P CONCLUSIONThis prototype relied on a simple design and excellent performance. It’s a practical tool to evaluate the detoxification ability of LMOs subjected to different preservation protocols.

Oxidative Metabolism of Estrone Modified by Genistein and Bisphenol A in Rat Liver Microsomes

Genistein, the main isoflavone from soy, and bisphenol A （BPA）, a food contaminant, are considered ubiquitous xenoestrogens. Here we investigated the influence of genistein and BPA on estrone （El） metabolism in rat liver microsomes. Both substances inhibited the 2-hydroxylation and 16a-hydroxylation of E1, but in different degrees, thereby reducing the 2-OH-E1/16a-OH-E1 ratio,

Differential regulation of glutathione S-transferase Yb1mRNA levels in rat prostate, liver and brain by androgen

Northern blot analysis of glutathione S-transferase (GST) Yb1 mRNA in different tissues of male and female rats revealed that its tissue-specific transcription patterns were highly sex hormone related. Although the GST Yb1 mRNA could be detected in most of the tissues examined at various levels, the highest abundance was observed in the ventral prostate, uterus and liver, which were the main target tissue for androgen, estrogen and glucocorticoid respectively The effect of androgen on the transcription of GST Yb1 was also tissue-specific. Since androgen withdrawal by castration caused the up-regulation of GST Yb1 mRNA in the ventral prostate but down-regulation in the liver and no effect in the brain, evaluation of this system for studying the regulation mechanisms of gene expression by which androgen exerts its differential effects has been discussed.

Damage to Wistar rat livers after hypo-fractionated radiation and oxaliplatin

Objective The purpose of this study was to clarify whether hypo-fractionated radiation therapy combined with oxaliplatin can aggravate liver damage, in order to determine its safety for clinical application. Methods Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups： the control group, the chemotherapy treatment group, the radiation treatment group, and the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group. The rats＇ liver tissues were then collected for histological evaluation at the first, second, fourth, sixth, and eight week after irradiation. The tissues were histologically evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohis-tochemistry to analyze the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results Histological examination revealed swollen hepatocellular cells in the experimental groups, with visible liver degeneration and necrosis. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly different between the groups （F = 85.869 and 214.663; P 〈 0.001）. The intra-group expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were also significantly different between each time point （F = 6.047 and 43.344; P 〈 0.05）. Bax expression was significantly different between each group （F = 8.122; P 〈 0.05）, although no inter-group differences were observed for Bol-2 expression （F = 0.808; P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion Chemoradiotherapy may aggravate liver injury, possible via overexpression of Bcl-2 and reduced expression of Bax. Therefore, this treatment should be used carefully in the clinic.