DRUG METABOLISM AND DISPOSITION
·
2025
·
IF 4
Yue Gao,Chenghui Cai,Wanyu Zheng,Shicheng Fan,Yifei Zhang,Yanying Zhou,Huilin Li,Jie Yang,Shaoxing Guan,Huichang Bi
Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3), a nuclear receptor superfamily member, plays a pivotal role in liver size regulation. Murine CAR agonist TCPOBOP was reported to induce hepatomegaly in mice, accompanied by hepatocyte hypertrophy and proliferation. However, whether CAR activation-induced hepatomegaly is reversible and the histological changes during reversal process remain elusive. In the current study, C57BL/6 mice were administered TCPOBOP for 5 days and sacrificed at different time points after drug withdrawal. The results showed that TCPOBOP-induced hepatomegaly required a long time to reverse, as evidenced by the liver-to-body weight ratio in the TCPOBOP group remained significantly higher than that in the Vehicle group even 120 days after withdrawal. CTNNB1 and CCND1 staining indicated a reduction in hepatocyte size and proliferating cells. To investigate the involved mechanisms, we measured proteins associated with hepatomegaly and liver regeneration termination. The results suggested that YAP, C-MYC, CTNNB1, FOXM1 and HNF4α changed significantly after TCPOBOP withdrawal and functioned at different stages during reversal. Furthermore, we established a UPLC-MS/MS method to quantify TCPOBOP concentration. The results indicated a long-term hepatic retention of TCPOBOP, which constantly activated CAR and led to sustained hepatomegaly after TCPOBOP withdrawal. Overall, these findings revealed the reversibility of CAR activation-induced hepatomegaly and provided new insights into the safety of CAR as a drug target. Additionally, the results highlighted the importance of considering long-term TCPOBOP accumulation in the liver to avoid potential adverse effects and experimental biases.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BASIC & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
·
2024
·
IF 2.7
Guofang Bi,Fengting Liang,Ting Wu,Peng Wang,Xiaowen Jiang,Shuang Hu,Chenghua Wu,Wenhong Zhou,Jiayin Guo,Xiao Yang,Jian-hong Fang,Wenying Chen,Huichang Bi
Human pregnane X receptor (PXR) is critical for regulating the expression of key drug-metabolizing enzymes such as CYP3A and CYP2C. Our recent study revealed that treatment with rodent-specific PXR agonist pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN) significantly induced hepatomegaly and promoted liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) in mice. However, it remains unclear whether PXR activation induces hepatomegaly and liver regeneration and simultaneously promotes metabolic function of the liver. Here, we investigated the metabolism activity of CYP1A2, CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C6/11 during PXR activation-induced liver enlargement and regeneration in rats after cocktail dosing of CYP probe drugs. For PCN-induced hepatomegaly, a notable increase in the metabolic activity of CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C6/11, as evidenced by the plasma exposure of probe substrates and the AUC ratios of the characteristic metabolites to its corresponding probe substrates. The metabolic activity of CYP1A2, CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C6/11 decreased significantly after PHx. However, PCN treatment obviously enhanced the metabolic activity of CYP2C6/11 and CYP3A1/2 in PHx rats. Furthermore, the protein expression levels of CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C6/11 in liver were up-regulated. Taken together, this study demonstrates that PXR activation not only induces hepatomegaly and liver regeneration in rats, but also promotes the protein expression and metabolic activity of the PXR downstream metabolizing enzymes such as CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C6/11 in the body.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
·
分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
DRUG METABOLISM AND DISPOSITION
·
2020
·Vol. 48
·期 9
·830-839
·
IF 3.231
Tingying Jiao,Xinpeng Yao,Yingyuan Zhao,Yanying Zhou,Yue Gao,Shicheng Fan,Panpan Chen,Xuan Li,Yiming Jiang,Xiao Yang,Frank J. Gonzalez,Min Huang,Huichang Bi
Dexamethasone (Dex), a widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drug, was reported to induce liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) in clinical practice and in animal models. However, the underlying mechanisms are not elucidated. Dex is a known activator of pregnane X receptor (PXR). Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been implicated in chemically induced liver enlargement. Here, the roles of PXR and YAP pathways were investigated in Dex-induced hepatomegaly. Upregulation of PXR downstream proteins, including cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A11, 2B10, and organic anion transporter polypeptide 2 (OATP2) (also known as SLCO1A4 and SLC21A5 in mouse), indicated PXR signaling was activated after high dose of Dex (50 mg/kg, i.p.), and Dex at 100 μM activated PXR in the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Dex also increased the expression of total YAP, nuclear YAP, and YAP downstream proteins, including connective tissue growth factor and cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61, indicating activation of the YAP pathway. Furthermore, nuclear translocation of YAP was promoted by activation of PXR. However, hepatocyte proliferation was inhibited with significant decrease in the expression of proliferation-related proteins cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen as well as other regulatory factors, such as forkhead box protein M1, c-MYC, and epidermal growth factor receptor. The inhibitory effect of Dex on hepatocyte proliferation was likely due to its anti-inflammation effect of suppression of inflammation factors. β-catenin staining revealed enlarged hepatocytes, which were mostly attributable to the accumulation of lipids, such as triglycerides. In summary, high-dose Dex increased liver size accompanied by enlarged hepatocytes, and this was due to the activation of PXR/YAP and their effects on lipid accumulation but not hepatocyte proliferation. These findings provide new insights for understanding the mechanism of Dex-induced hepatomegaly.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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细胞生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
·
2021
·Vol. 43
·期 1
·146-156
·
IF 6.15
Yao Xin-peng,Jiao Ting-ying,Jiang Yi-ming,Fan Shi-cheng,Zhao Ying-yuan,Yang Xiao,Gao Yue,Li Fei,Zhou Yan-ying,Chen Pan-pan,Huang Min,Bi Hui-chang
Mifepristone (Mif), an effective synthetic steroidal antiprogesterone drug, is widely used for medical abortion and pregnancy prevention. Due to its anti-glucocorticoid effect, high-dose Mif is also used to treat Cushing’s syndrome. Mif was reported to active pregnane X receptor (PXR) in vitro and PXR can induce hepatomegaly via activation and interaction with yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway. High-dose Mif was reported to induce hepatomegaly in rats and mice, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, the role of PXR was studied in Mif-induced hepatomegaly in C57BL/6 mice and Pxr -knockout mice. The results demonstrated that high-dose Mif (100 mg · kg −1 · d −1 , i.p .) treatment for 5 days significantly induced hepatomegaly with enlarged hepatocytes and promoted proliferation, but low dose of Mif (5 mg · kg −1 · d −1 , i.p .) cannot induce hepatomegaly. The dual-luciferase reporter gene assays showed that Mif can activate human PXR in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, Mif could promote nuclear translocation of PXR and YAP, and significantly induced the expression of PXR, YAP, and their target proteins such as CYP3A11, CYP2B10, UGT1A1, ANKRD, and CTGF. However, Mif (100 mg · kg −1 · d −1 , i.p .) failed to induce hepatomegaly in Pxr -knockout mice, as well as hepatocyte enlargement and proliferation, further indicating that Mif-induced hepatomegaly is PXR-dependent. In summary, this study demonstrated that PXR-mediated Mif-induced hepatomegaly in mice probably via activation of YAP pathway. This study provides new insights in Mif-induced hepatomegaly, and provides novel evidence on the crucial function of PXR in liver enlargement and regeneration.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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分子生物学
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肝病学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
DRUG METABOLISM AND DISPOSITION
·
2022
·Vol. 50
·期 12
·1464-1471
·
IF 3.579
Jie Yang,Shicheng Fan,Yifei Zhang,Min Huang,Yue Gao,Huichang Bi
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is closely related to lipid metabolism and various liver diseases. Previous study has shown that chronic treatment with PPARα agonist WY-14643 can induce liver tumors in rodents, but the implications of this process on lipid metabolism in the liver remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the influences of chronic treatment with WY-14643 on the liver and hepatic lipid metabolism. Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were treated with WY-14643 (100 mg/kg/week, i.p.) or corn oil, and liver and serum samples were collected for testing after 42 weeks of WY-14643 treatment. The results showed that hepatomegaly, liver tumors with mild liver injury, and hepatocyte proliferation were induced in mice treated with WY-14643. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARα downstream targets acyl-CoA oxidase 1 and cytochrome P450 4A were significantly upregulated in the WY-14643–treated group. Lipidomic analysis revealed that chronic treatment with WY-14643 disturbed lipid homeostasis, especially triglycerides (TGs), which were significantly elevated after WY-14643 treatment. Moreover, TG homeostasis-related genes were significantly increased in the WY-14643–treated group. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that hepatomegaly and liver tumors induced by chronic treatment with WY-14643 in mice are accompanied by hepatocyte proliferation and TG accumulation.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝病学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
·
2022
·Vol. 44
·期 1
·169-177
·
IF 7.169
Zhang Yi-fei,Gao Yue,Yang Jie,Jiang Yi-ming,Huang Min,Fan Shi-cheng,Bi Hui-chang
Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is highly expressed in the liver and plays a pivotal role in xenobiotic and endobiotic metabolism. We previously reported that PXR activation by its specific mouse agonist pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN) significantly induces liver enlargement and lipid accumulation. However, the effect of long-term PCN treatment on PXR and mouse liver is still unknown. This study aimed to explore the influence of long-term administration of PCN on mouse liver and hepatic lipid homeostasis. Male C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with PCN (100 mg/kg once a week) for 42 weeks. Serum and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. PXR activation was investigated by Western blot. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-HRMS)-based lipidomics analysis was performed to explore the change in different lipid categories. The results showed that long-term treatment with PCN significantly promoted hepatomegaly without hepatocyte proliferation and enlargement. Long-term treatment with PCN did not upregulate PXR target proteins in mice, and there was no significant upregulation of CYP3A11, CYP2B10, UGT1A1, MRP2, or MRP4. Lipidomics analysis showed obvious hepatic lipid accumulation in the PCN-treated mice, and the most significant change was found in triglycerides (TGs). Additionally, long-term treatment with PCN had no risk for carcinogenesis. These findings demonstrated that long-term PCN treatment induces hepatomegaly and lipid accumulation without hepatocyte proliferation or enlargement.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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肝病学
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脂质代谢
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2021
·
IF 5.34
Ying-yuan Zhao,Xin-peng Yao,Ting-ying Jiao,Jia-ning Tian,Yue Gao,Shi-cheng Fan,Pan-pan Chen,Yi-ming Jiang,Yan-ying Zhou,Yi-xin Chen,Xiao Yang,Min Huang,Hui-chang Bi
Background Schisandrol B (SolB) is one of the bioactive components from a traditional Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis or Schisandra sphenanthera . It has been demonstrated that SolB exerts hepatoprotective effects against drug-induced liver injury and promotes liver regeneration . It was found that SolB can induce hepatomegaly but the involved mechanisms remain unknown. Purpose This study aimed to explore the mechanisms involved in SolB-induced hepatomegaly. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with SolB (100 mg/kg) for 5 days. Serum and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. The mechanisms of SolB were investigated by qRT-PCR and western blot analyses, luciferase reporter gene assays and immunofluorescence. Results SolB significantly increased hepatocyte size and proliferation, and then promoted liver enlargement without liver injury and inflammation. SolB transactivated human PXR , activated PXR in mice and upregulated hepatic expression of its downstream proteins, such as CYP3A11 , CYP2B10 and UGT1A1. SolB also significantly enhanced nuclear translocation of PXR and YAP in human cell lines. YAP signal pathway was activated by SolB in mice. Conclusion These findings demonstrated that SolB can significantly induce liver enlargement, which is associated with the activation of PXR and YAP pathways.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
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肝病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
DRUG METABOLISM AND DISPOSITION
·
2024
·Vol. 52
·期 7
·597-605
·
IF 4.4
Ting Wu,Lu Li,Wenhong Zhou,Guofang Bi,Xiaowen Jiang,Manlan Guo,Xiao Yang,Jianhong Fang,Jianxin Pang,Shicheng Fan,Huichang Bi
Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is essential in the regulation of liver homeostasis, and the gut microbiota is closely linked to liver physiologic and pathologic status. We previously found that activation of PXR significantly promotes liver enlargement through interaction with yes-associated protein (YAP). However, whether gut microbiota contributes to PXR-induced hepatomegaly and the involved mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were administered the mouse-specific agonist pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN) for 5 days. Depletion of gut microbiota was achieved using broad-spectrum antibiotics (ABX) and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed to restore the gut microbia. The composition of gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, while the expression of PXR, YAP, and their downstream target genes and proteins were assessed. The results indicated that PCN treatment altered the composition and abundance of specific bacterial taxa. Furthermore, depletion of gut microbiota using ABX significantly attenuated PCN-induced hepatomegaly. FMT experiments further demonstrated that the fecal microbiota from PCN-treated mice could induce liver enlargement. Mechanistic studies revealed that ABX treatment impeded the PXR and YAP activation induced by PCN, as evidenced by decreased expression of PXR, YAP, and their downstream targets. Moreover, alterations in PXR and YAP activation were likely contributing to hepatomegaly in recipient mice following FMT from PCN-treated mice. Collectively, the current study demonstrated that gut microbiota is involved in PCN-induced hepatomegaly via regulating PXR and YAP activation, providing potential novel insights into the involvement of gut microbiota in PXR-mediated hepatomegaly.
研究领域:
药理学
·
微生物学
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肝脏病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Advanced Research
·
2024
·
IF 11.4
Dongwei Guan,Pengju Huang,Xinlei Liu,Qing Li,Xiaoxun Zhang,Nan Liu,Yong Wang,Ying Wan,Jin Chai,Shiying Cai,Rui Chen,Zhijia Ye
Introduction Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), a lysosomal cholesterol transport protein, is required for efficient efferocytosis. Patients with Npc1 mutation are frequently accompanied with hepatic symptoms, including hepatomegaly, elevated liver transaminases, or even acute liver failure, but the pathogenic mechanism remains unknown. Objectives Our work aims to characterize the functional role of myeloid NPC1 in liver injury and elucidate its underlying mechanism. Methods Analyses of injured livers from patients with liver diseases and mouse models were conducted to examine NPC1 expression. Myeloid cell-specific Npc1 knockout mice were constructed to determine the functional role of macrophage NPC1 in liver injury. Isolated macrophages were subjected to in vitro mechanistical assays. Results We found that NPC1 is mainly expressed in hepatic macrophages. Its mRNA and protein expression are significantly elevated in injured livers from both patients and mouse models. Tissue-specific deletion of myeloid Npc1 increased liver inflammation, levels of serum liver function enzymes, and liver fibrosis in mouse models of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) injection and methionine-and-choline-deficient (MCD) diets. Further analyses indicate that Npc1 deficiency in mouse models of liver injury resulted in increased levels of serum HMGB1 and mitochondrial DNA, promoted hepatic macrophage proinflammatory activation, M1 polarization, led to overproduction of hepatic inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, e.g. CCL2 and STING/NFκB pathway activation. In vitro mechanistical studies reveal that Npc1 -deficient macrophages exhibited inefficient efferocytosis, partly due to impaired cargo degradation. Conclusions These findings indicate that elevated expression of myeloid NPC1 in liver diseases protects liver from injury by promoting macrophage efferocytosis of damaged cells. Dysfunction of NPC1 aggravates liver injury, suggesting that NPC1 may be a potential therapeutic target for treating liver diseases.
研究领域:
肝病学
·
免疫学
·
细胞生物学
·
病理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Advanced Healthcare Materials
·
2024
·
IF 10
Shuang Xie,Yu Li,Wenxiong Cao,Jiawen Peng,Kun Huang,Jie Meng,Xiaohong Li
Intracellular bacteria are the major cause of serious infections including sepsis and peritonitis, but face great challenges in fighting against the stubborn intracellular small colony variants (SCVs). Herein, the authors have developed nanogels (NGs) to destroy both planktonic bacteria and SCVs and eliminate excessive inflammations for peritonitis and sepsis therapies. Free gentamicin (GEN) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (NPs) with GEN loading and mannose grafts (mHA G ) are inoculated into ε-polylysine NGs to obtain NG@G1-mHA G2 through crosslinking with phenylboronic acid and tannic acid. The H 2 O 2 consumption after reaction with phenylboronic esters and the elimination of free radicals by tannic acid alleviates the escalated inflammatory status to promote sepsis therapy. After mannose-mediated uptake into macrophages, the acid-triggered degradation of mHA G NPs generates Ca 2+ to destabilize lysosomes and the efficient lysosomal escape leads to reversion of hypometabolic SCVs into normal phenotype and their sensitivity to GEN. In a peritonitis mouse model, NG@G1-mHA G2 treatment provides strong and persistent bactericidal effects against both extracellular bacteria and intracellular SCVs and extends survival of peritonitis mice without apparent hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, pulmonary edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Thus, this study demonstrates a concise and versatile strategy to eliminate SCVs and relieve inflammatory storms for peritonitis and sepsis therapies without infection recurrence.
研究领域:
纳米技术
·
药学
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传染病学
·
生物医学工程
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子