不同性质的脂肪酸对脂肪变性L02肝细胞凋亡和葡萄糖调节蛋白78表达的影响

目的探讨不同性质脂肪酸对脂肪变性L02肝细胞凋亡和葡萄糖调节蛋白78(GRP78)表达的影响。方法用油酸(不饱和脂肪酸)和软脂酸(饱和脂肪酸)分别诱导建立L02细胞脂肪变性模型;油红O染色观察细胞内脂滴的变化;甘油三酯(TG)试剂盒检测细胞内TG含量;流式细胞术Annexin-V/PI双染检测细胞凋亡率;AO/EB染色法观察细胞凋亡形态;Westernblot和RT-PCR法分别检测GRP78蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果不同性质的脂肪酸均可导致L02细胞发生以甘油三酯升高为特点的脂肪变性。流式细胞术及AO/EB染色形态观察显示,两种类型的脂肪酸均可引起不同程度的肝细胞凋亡,软脂酸组在48和72h的细胞凋亡率显著高于对照组、DMSO组以及油酸组,同时伴有GRP78蛋白及mRNA表达的明显增加。结论油酸不能影响GRP78的表达,饱和脂肪酸可能通过上调葡萄糖调节蛋白78的表达诱导脂肪变性肝细胞的凋亡。     

SCAP-SREBP-1c-ACC1在内质网应激状态下肝细胞脂肪变性中的作用

目的探讨SCAP-SREBP-1c-ACC1信号通路在内质网应激状态下肝细胞脂肪变性中的作用。方法以人肝细胞L02及人肝肿瘤细胞HepG2为研究对象,利用1μmol/L毒胡萝卜素(Thapsigargin)诱导肝细胞建立内质网应激模型,设未处理细胞作为对照;采用酶比色法检测细胞内甘油三酯含量,Real-time PCR法检测固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1c裂解激活蛋白[sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c)cleavage-activating protein,SCAP]基因mRNA水平,Western blot法检测葡萄糖调节蛋白-78(glucose-regulated protein-78,GRP-78)、SCAP、SREBP-1c、乙酰辅酶A羧化酶1(acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1,ACC1)蛋白的表达水平。结果在内质网应激状态下,实验组两种细胞中甘油三酯水平、SCAP基因mRNA水平以及GRP-78、SCAP、SREBP-1c、ACC1蛋白的表达水平较对照组均明显增加(P均<0.01)。结论已成功建立内质网应激脂肪变性细胞模型。SCAP-SREBP-1c-ACC1信号通路可能介导内质网应激状态下肝细胞脂肪变性。     

β-羟丁酸对体外培养牛肝细胞肉碱脂酰基转移酶-Ⅰ转录和翻译水平的影响

目的检测不同浓度β-羟丁酸(β-hydroxy butyrate,BHBA)对体外培养牛肝细胞肉碱脂酰基转移酶Ⅰ(Carnitine palmityl transferase-Ⅰ,CPT-Ⅰ)转录及翻译水平的影响。方法分别采用荧光定量PCR法和ELISA法,检测不同浓度BHBA(0、0.3、0.6、1.2、2.4、4.8mmol/L)对体外培养牛肝细胞CPT-I基因和蛋白表达的影响。结果随着BHBA浓度的增加,肝细胞CPT-Ⅰ的转录和翻译水平均下降。当BHBA浓度大于1.2mmol/L时,肝细胞CPT-I的转录和翻译水平下降更显著。结论高浓度的BHBA可显著抑制体外培养牛肝细胞CPT-I的表达,可能减少肝细胞脂肪酸氧化代谢。     

人肝细胞生长因子基因真核表达质粒的构建及其在人骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达

目的构建人肝细胞生长因子(Human hepatocyte growth factor,hHGF)真核表达质粒,并检测其在人骨髓间充质干细胞(Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)中的表达及其对细胞生长的影响。方法采用密度梯度法从人骨髓中分离BMSCs,流式细胞术检测细胞表型,成脂及成骨诱导其分化。PCR扩增hHGF基因,定向克隆至pEGFP-N1载体中,构建重组表达质粒pEGFP-N1-hHGF,通过电穿孔法转染BMSCs,荧光显微镜下观察增强型绿色荧光蛋白的表达,RT-PCR及Western blot法检测hHGF基因mRNA的转录及蛋白的表达,MTT法检测hHGF对BMSCs增殖活力的影响。结果 BMSCs高表达CD29和CD44,不表达CD34和CD45;BMSCs在体外有向成脂及成骨细胞诱导分化的能力。酶切及基因测序证实,重组表达质粒pEGFP-N1-hHGF构建正确;转染后48 h观察到转染细胞中有绿色荧光蛋白表达;RT-PCR法和Western blot检测到hHGF基因在BMSCs中表达;转染hHGF基因的BMSCs增殖活力明显高于空白对照组和空载体转染组(P<0.05)。结论成功构建了hHGF基因真核表达质粒,转染人BMSCs后获得表达,表达的hHGF可促进BMSCs增殖。     

解偶联蛋白-2在软脂酸诱导的HepG2细胞胰岛素抵抗中的作用及其与核转录因子-κB的关系

目的探讨解偶联蛋白-2(Uncoupling protein-2,UCP-2)在软脂酸诱导的HepG2细胞胰岛素抵抗(Insulin-resistance,IR)中的作用及其与核转录因子-κB(Nuclearfactor-κB,NF-κB)的关系。方法将HepG2细胞分为正常对照组、软脂酸组(加0.25mmol/L软脂酸)、高胰岛素组(加100nmol/L胰岛素)、软脂酸+京尼平组(加0.25mmol/L软脂酸和10μmol/L京尼平),培养24h后,再用100nmol/L胰岛素刺激,分别于12h后测定培养液中葡萄糖、MDA、SOD、ALT、AST、GGT、TG的浓度;油红O染色法观察细胞的脂变情况;流式细胞术检测线粒体膜电位改变;30min后采用半定量RT-PCR及Westernblot法检测细胞IRS-2、UCP-2及NF-κB的表达水平。结果胰岛素作用12h后,细胞培养液中葡萄糖含量软脂酸组与高胰岛素组比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。培养液中葡萄糖含量、ALT、AST、MDA、GGT、TG的含量及UCP-2和NF-κB的表达水平,软脂酸组均较正常对照组和软脂酸+京尼平组显著升高(P<0.05),软脂酸+京尼平组与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。线粒体膜电位、SOD和IRS-2的水平,软脂酸组显著低于正常对照组和软脂酸+京尼平组(P<0.05),软脂酸+京尼平组与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 UCP-2在软脂酸诱导的肝脏胰岛素抵抗中起着重要作用,其机制可能与NF-κB有关。     

L-精氨酸对高糖高胰岛素诱导心肌细胞肥大的抑制作用

目的探讨L-精氨酸(L-Arg)对高糖高胰岛素(High glucose and insulin,HGI)诱导心肌细胞肥大的抑制作用。方法体外培养乳鼠心肌细胞,将细胞分为正常对照组(5.5mmol/L葡萄糖)、模型组(HGI组,给予25.5mmol/L葡萄糖与0.1μmol/L胰岛素)、L-Arg低、中、高剂量组(给予HGI组药物,并分别加入0.01、0.1和1.0mmol/L的L-Arg)和L-Arg+L-NAME组[给予HGI组药物,并加入0.1mmol/LL-Arg和一氧化氮合酶(Nitric oxide synthase,NOS)特异性抑制剂L-NAME],以细胞表面积、蛋白质含量和心房利钠因子(Atrial natriuretic factor,ANF)mRNA表达为反映心肌肥大的指标,观察L-Arg对HGI致心肌细胞肥大作用的影响;采用Real-timePCR法检测内皮型一氧化氮合酶(Endothelial NOS,eNOS)和诱生型一氧化氮合酶(Inducible NOS,iNOS)mRNA的表达;比色法和硝酸还原法分别检测细胞培养液中NOS的活性和NO的含量。结果 L-Arg呈浓度依赖性地抑制HGI诱导的心肌细胞肥大;并上调eNOS mRNA的表达及NOS的活性,增加NO的浓度。NOS抑制剂L-NAME可完全阻断L-Arg的上述作用。结论 L-Arg可通过激活eNOS表达,促进NO释放,产生抗HGI诱导心肌肥大的作用。     

L-精氨酸对人肝细胞中内源凝血因子Ⅷ表达的激活作用

目的探讨L-精氨酸对人肝细胞LO2中内源凝血因子Ⅷ(Coagulation factorⅧ,FⅧ)表达的激活作用。方法将LO2细胞分为试验组和对照组,试验组加入L-精氨酸(终浓度为10 mmol/L)分别培养24、36、48和60 h,对照组用等体积的灭菌水取代L-精氨酸培养。采用RT-PCR法检测LO2细胞中人FⅧ基因mRNA的转录水平并测序鉴定,一期法检测细胞培养上清液中人FⅧ的促凝活性(FⅧ∶C),Western blot检测24、48 h时相点LO2细胞中人FⅧ蛋白的表达,免疫荧光染色结合激光共聚焦显微镜观察L-精氨酸作用48 h后LO2细胞中人FⅧ的表达。结果加入L-精氨酸培养36、48、60 h后,LO2细胞中有人FⅧ基因mRNA的转录,而对照组未出现人FⅧ基因mRNA的转录;各时相点两组细胞培养上清液中人FⅧ∶C的水平差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);Western blot及激光共聚焦均观察到加L-精氨酸培养48 h后LO2细胞中出现人FⅧ的表达,而对照组细胞中均无人FⅧ的表达。结论 L-精氨酸可激活人正常肝细胞中内源FⅧ的表达。     

高脂、胰岛素抵抗合并高脂高糖对大鼠肝脏Angptl3和LPL基因mR-NA转录的影响

目的探讨高脂、胰岛素抵抗合并高脂高糖对大鼠肝脏血管生成素样蛋白3(Angptl3)和脂蛋白脂肪酶(LPL)基因mRNA转录的影响。方法建立高脂(HL)、胰岛素抵抗合并高脂高糖(IR-HLG)大鼠模型,采用自动分析仪检测模型大鼠空腹血糖(BG)、总三酰甘油(TG)和胆固醇(TC)含量,采用Realtime PCR定量检测各组大鼠肝组织Angptl3和LPL基因的mRNA转录水平。结果模型组大鼠血清TG、TC含量及肝脏Angptl3和LPL基因mRNA转录水平均较对照组明显升高;IR-HLG组大鼠的BG水平和Angptl3水平较对照组和HL组均明显升高,LPL水平较HL组明显下降。结论随血脂的增高,Angptl3和LPL的表达均增强;在高糖、胰岛素抵抗状态下,Angptl3的表达增高,而LPL的表达则部分受到抑制。     

大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向肝样细胞的定向诱导分化

目的 探讨肝细胞生长因子(Hepatocyte growth factor,HGF)和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(Basic fibroblast growthfactor,bFGF)诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BM-MSCs)分化为肝样细胞的可行性。方法取SD大鼠股骨骨髓,直接贴壁法分离纯化BM-MSCs,并体外传代,流式细胞术和成骨诱导对其进行鉴定。取第3代BM-MSCs,分为2组:实验组用HGF(20 ng/ml)和bFGF(10 ng/ml)进行诱导,阴性对照组不加诱导剂,倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态变化;RT-PCR法检测诱导后细胞甲胎蛋白(Alpha fetoprotein,AFP)和白蛋白(Albumin,ALB)基因mRNA的转录水平;免疫细胞化学染色法检测诱导后细胞的AFP和ALB蛋白的表达。结果第3代BM-MSCs表型标志和功能特性均符合MSCs的特点。BM-MSCs经HGF和bFGF诱导后呈肝样细胞形态。实验组细胞可检测出AFP和ALB基因mRNA的表达。实验组细胞诱导后第7天,AFP蛋白开始表达,第14天时表达降低,第21天时不表达;ALB于诱导后第14天出现表达,并随诱导时间的延长表达逐渐增加。结论 HGF和bFGF具有体外诱导BM-MSCs向肝样细胞分化的作用。     

The Effect and Mechanism of Tamoxifen-Induced Hepatocyte Steatosis in Vitro

The aim of this study was to determine the effect and mechanism of tamoxifen (TAM)-induced steatosis in vitro. HepG 2 (Human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line) cells were treated with different concentrations of TAM for 72 h. Steatosis of hepatocytes was determined after Oil Red O staining and measurement of triglyceride (TG) concentration. The expressions of genes in the TG homeostasis pathway, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), were examined using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was examined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. We found that hepatocytes treated with TAM had: (1) induced hepatocyte steatosis and increased hepatocyte TG; (2) upregulation of SREBP-1c, FAS, ACC, SCD and MTP mRNA expressions (300%, 600%, 70%, 130% and 160%, respectively); (3) corresponding upregulation of protein expression; and (4) no difference in HepG 2 cell proliferation. Our results suggest that TAM can induce hepatocyte steatosis in vitro and that the enhancement of fatty acid synthesis through the upregulations of SREBP-1c and its downstream target genes (FAS, ACC and SCD) may be the key mechanism of TAM-induced hepatocyte steatosis.     

Water-soluble organosulfur compounds of garlic inhibit fatty acid and triglyceride syntheses in cultured rat hepatocytes

The putative hypolipidemic effect of garlic remains controversial. To gain further insight into the effect of garlic on lipid metabolism, the present study determined the inhibitory effects of water-soluble organosulfur compounds present in garlic on triglyceride (TG) and fatty acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes. When incubated at 0.05 to 4.0 mmol/L with cultured hepatocytes, S-allyl cysteine (SAC) and S-propyl cysteine (SPC) decreased [2-¹⁴C]acetate incorporation into triglyceride in a concentration-dependent fashion achieving a maximal inhibition at 4.0 mmol/L of 43 and 51%, respectively. The rate of [2-¹⁴C]acetate incorporation into phosphlipids was depressed to a similar extent by SAC and SPC. SPC, SAC, S-ethyl cysteine (SEC), and γ-glutamyl-S-methyl cysteine decreased [2-¹⁴C]acetate incorporation into fatty acid synthesis by 81, 59, 35, and 40%, respectively, at 2.0–4.0 mmol/L concentrations. Alliin, γ-glutamyl-S-allyl cysteine, γ-glutamyl-S-propyl cysteine S-allyl-N-acetyl cysteine, S-allylsulfonyl alanine, and S-methyl cysteine had no effect on fatty acid synthesis. The activities of lipogenic enzymes, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were measured in cultured hepatocytes treated with the inhibitors. The activity of FAS in cells treated with 4.0 mmol/L SAC and SPC, respectively, was 32 and 27% lower than that of non-treated cells. Neither SAC nor SPC affected G6PDH activity. The results indicate that SAC, SEC, and SPC inhibit lipid biosynthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes, and further suggest that these S-alk(en)yl cysteines of garlic impair triglyceride synthesis in part due to decreased de novo fatty acid synthesis resulting from inhibition on FAS. Whether tissue concentrations of active garlic components can achieve levels required to inhibit TG synthesis in vivo warrants further investigation.     

Farnesol Decreases Serum Triglycerides in Rats: Identification of Mechanisms Including Up-Regulation of PPARα and Down-Regulation of Fatty Acid Synthase in Hepatocytes

Obesity is associated with impaired fatty acid (FA) oxidation and increased de novo hepatic lipogenesis that may contribute to the development of hypertriglyceridemia, an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Strategies to improve hepatocyte FA metabolism, including dietary interventions, are therefore important for the prevention of obesity-associated co-morbidities. Farnesol is consumed in the diet as a component of plant products. In the present study, we administered farnesol orally to rats for seven days and found significantly reduced serum triglyceride concentrations compared with controls. Potential mechanisms underlying the hypotriglyceridemic effect of farnesol were investigated using clone-9 cultured rat hepatocytes. Farnesol significantly upregulated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and the PPARalpha-regulated genes fatty acyl-CoA oxidase and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a, suggesting that increased hepatic FA oxidation may contribute to serum triglyceride lowering in rats. Farnesol did not change SREBP-1c mRNA levels, but significantly down-regulated fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA and protein levels and activity, indicating that attenuated lipogenesis may also contribute to hypotriglyceridemic effects of farnesol in vivo. Rescue experiments revealed that down-regulation of FAS by farnesol was not related to activation of PPARalpha, but rather was caused by a 9-cis retinoic acid mediated mechanism that involved down-regulation of retinoid X receptor beta. Diets rich in plant products are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Our findings suggest that farnesol may contribute to this protective effect by lowering serum TG levels.     

Regulation of Hepatocyte Lipid Metabolism and Inflammatory Response by 25-Hydroxycholesterol and 25-Hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism is frequently associated with inflammatory conditions. The mechanism of this association is still not clearly defined. Recently, we identified a nuclear oxysterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S), as an important regulatory molecule involved in lipid metabolism in hepatocytes. The present study shows that 25HC3S and its precursor, 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), diametrically regulate lipid metabolism and inflammatory response via LXR/SREBP-1 and IκBα/NFκB signaling in hepatocytes. Addition of 25HC3S to primary rat hepatocytes decreased nuclear LXR and SREBP-1 protein levels, down-regulated their target genes, acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and SREBP-2 target gene HMG reductase, key enzymes involved in fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis. 25HC3S reduced TNFα-induced inflammatory response by increasing cytoplasmic IκBα levels, decreasing NFκB nuclear translocation, and consequently repressing expression of NFκB-dependent genes, IL-1β, TNFα, and TRAF1. NFκB-dependent promoter reporter gene assay showed that 25HC3S suppressed luciferase activity in the hepatocytes. In contrast, 25HC elicited opposite effects by increasing nuclear LXR and SREBP-1 protein levels, and by increasing ACC1 and FAS mRNA levels. 25HC also decreased cytoplasmic IκBα levels and further increased TNFα-induced NFκB activation. The current findings suggest that 25HC and 25HC3S serve as potent regulators in cross-talk of lipid metabolism and inflammatory response in the hepatocytes.     

Upregulation of Nrf2 Signalling and the Inhibition of Erastin-Induced Ferroptosis by Ferulic Acid in MIN6 Cells

Ferroptosis is a regulated cell death process characterised by the iron-dependent accumulation of oxidised polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids. Its initiation is complicated and involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a loss of the activity of the lipid repair enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). These play critical roles in the development of ferroptotic cell damage by lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent or even reverse the progression of ferroptosis. This study was designed to demonstrate the protective effect of ferulic acid (FA) against oxidative stress and erastin-mediated ferroptosis in murine MIN6 cells. Cells were treated with FA or its metabolite ferulic acid 4-O-sulfate disodium salt (FAS) and 20 μM of erastin. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, iron levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ROS levels were determined by a dihydrodichlorofluorescein (H2DCF) cell-permeant probe, and glutathione and lipid peroxidation were assayed with commercially available kits. The phenolic acids enhanced cell viability in erastin-treated MIN6 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MIN6 cells exposed to erastin alone showed elevated levels of iron and ROS, glutathione (GSH) depletion, and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) compared to cells that were protected by co-treatment with FA or FAS. The treatment of MIN6 cells with FA or FAS following exposure to erastin increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein levels. Consequently, levels of its downstream antioxidant proteins, HO-1, NQO1, GCLC, and GPX4, increased. FA and FAS greatly decreased erastin-induced ferroptosis in the presence of the Nrf2 inhibitor, ML385, through the regulation of Nrf2 response genes. In conclusion, these results show that FA and FAS protect MIN6 cells from erastin-induced ferroptosis by the Nrf2 antioxidant protective mechanism.