BACKGROUND The modified Xiaoyao San(MXS)formula is an adjuvant drug recommended by the National Health Commission of China for the treatment of liver cancer,which has the effect of preventing postoperative recurrence ...BACKGROUND The modified Xiaoyao San(MXS)formula is an adjuvant drug recommended by the National Health Commission of China for the treatment of liver cancer,which has the effect of preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and prolonging patient survival.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying that remain unclear.AIM To investigate the role and mechanisms of MXS in ameliorating hepatic injury,steatosis and inflammation.METHODS A choline-deficient/high-fat diet-induced rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)model was used to examine the effects of MXS on lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes.Liver tissues were collected for western blotting and immunohisto chemistry(IHC)assays.Lipid accumulation and hepatic fibrosis were detected using oil red staining and Sirius red staining.The serum samples were collected for biochemical assays and NMR-based metabonomics analysis.The inflammation/lipid metabolism-related signaling and regulators in liver tissues were also detected to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MXS against NASH.RESULTS MXS showed a significant decrease in lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in hepatocytes under metabolic stress.The western blotting and IHC results indicated that MXS activated AMPK pathway but inhibited the expression of key regulators related to lipid accumulation,inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the pathogenesis of NASH.The metabonomics analysis systemically indicated that the arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis are the two main target metabolic pathways for MXS to ameliorate liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis.Mechanistically,we found that MXS protected against NASH by attenuating the sex hormone-related metabolism,especially the metabolism of male hormones.CONCLUSION MXS ameliorates inflammation and hepatic steatosis of NASH by inhibiting the metabolism of male hormones.Targeting male hormone related metabolic pathways may be the potential therapeutic approach for NASH.展开更多
Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death.Emerging evidence suggests that autophagy plays a critical role in HCC tumorigenesis,metastasis,and prognosis.Choline is ...Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death.Emerging evidence suggests that autophagy plays a critical role in HCC tumorigenesis,metastasis,and prognosis.Choline is an essential nutrient related to prolonged survival and reduced risk of HCC.However,it remains unclear whether this phenomenon is mediated by autophagy.Methods:Two HCC cell lines(HUH-7 and Hep3B)were used in the present study.Cell growth was evaluated by cell counting kit 8(CCK-8),colony formation,and in vivo mouse xenografts assays.Cell motility was calculated by wound healing and transwell assays.Autophagosomes were measured by transmission electron microscope(TEM),and autophagy flux was detected by mRFP-GFP-labeled LC3 protein.The mRNA level of genes was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The protein levels were detected by Western blotting(WB).Results:We found that choline inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of HCC cells by downregulating autophagy in vitro and in vivo.Upregulated expression of the solute carrier family 5 member 7(SLC5A7),a specific choline transporter,correlated with better HCC prognosis.We further discovered that choline could promote SLC5A7 expression,upregulate cytoplasm p53 expression to impair the AMPK/mTOR pathway,and attenuate autophagy.Finally,we found that choline acted synergistically with sorafenib to attenuate HCC development in vitro and in vivo.Conclusions:Our findings provide novel insights into choline-mediated autophagy in HCC,providing the foothold for its future application in HCC treatment.展开更多
基金Supported by Chongqing Fundamental Research Funds,No.jbky20210001Key Programs of Technological Innovation and Application Development of Chongqing,China,No.cstc2021jscx-dxwtBX0016+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,No.cstc2021jcyjmsxmX0793Science and Technology Project in Social Livelihood of Bishan District,Chongqing,China,No.BSKJ0078 and No.BSKJ0075Performance Incentive-oriented Project of Chongqing,No.jxjl20220007。
文摘BACKGROUND The modified Xiaoyao San(MXS)formula is an adjuvant drug recommended by the National Health Commission of China for the treatment of liver cancer,which has the effect of preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and prolonging patient survival.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying that remain unclear.AIM To investigate the role and mechanisms of MXS in ameliorating hepatic injury,steatosis and inflammation.METHODS A choline-deficient/high-fat diet-induced rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)model was used to examine the effects of MXS on lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes.Liver tissues were collected for western blotting and immunohisto chemistry(IHC)assays.Lipid accumulation and hepatic fibrosis were detected using oil red staining and Sirius red staining.The serum samples were collected for biochemical assays and NMR-based metabonomics analysis.The inflammation/lipid metabolism-related signaling and regulators in liver tissues were also detected to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MXS against NASH.RESULTS MXS showed a significant decrease in lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in hepatocytes under metabolic stress.The western blotting and IHC results indicated that MXS activated AMPK pathway but inhibited the expression of key regulators related to lipid accumulation,inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the pathogenesis of NASH.The metabonomics analysis systemically indicated that the arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis are the two main target metabolic pathways for MXS to ameliorate liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis.Mechanistically,we found that MXS protected against NASH by attenuating the sex hormone-related metabolism,especially the metabolism of male hormones.CONCLUSION MXS ameliorates inflammation and hepatic steatosis of NASH by inhibiting the metabolism of male hormones.Targeting male hormone related metabolic pathways may be the potential therapeutic approach for NASH.
基金Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province,China(grant No.2020A1515110682)Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Project(grant No.2017A040406008)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant Nos.81973016,82103825)Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China(grant No.2020M683135).
文摘Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated death.Emerging evidence suggests that autophagy plays a critical role in HCC tumorigenesis,metastasis,and prognosis.Choline is an essential nutrient related to prolonged survival and reduced risk of HCC.However,it remains unclear whether this phenomenon is mediated by autophagy.Methods:Two HCC cell lines(HUH-7 and Hep3B)were used in the present study.Cell growth was evaluated by cell counting kit 8(CCK-8),colony formation,and in vivo mouse xenografts assays.Cell motility was calculated by wound healing and transwell assays.Autophagosomes were measured by transmission electron microscope(TEM),and autophagy flux was detected by mRFP-GFP-labeled LC3 protein.The mRNA level of genes was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The protein levels were detected by Western blotting(WB).Results:We found that choline inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of HCC cells by downregulating autophagy in vitro and in vivo.Upregulated expression of the solute carrier family 5 member 7(SLC5A7),a specific choline transporter,correlated with better HCC prognosis.We further discovered that choline could promote SLC5A7 expression,upregulate cytoplasm p53 expression to impair the AMPK/mTOR pathway,and attenuate autophagy.Finally,we found that choline acted synergistically with sorafenib to attenuate HCC development in vitro and in vivo.Conclusions:Our findings provide novel insights into choline-mediated autophagy in HCC,providing the foothold for its future application in HCC treatment.
