姜黄素对非酒精性脂肪肝小鼠代谢组学的调控研究

目的 探讨姜黄素（CUR）对非酒精性脂肪肝病（NAFLD）的代谢调节作用。方法 小鼠适应性饲养3 d后,随机分为3组：对照（C）组、高脂饮食模型（HFD）组、CUR （50 mg/kg）组。C组饲喂普通饲料,HFD和CUR组饲喂高脂饲料,CUR同时ig给药10周,C组和HFD组ig给予0.5% CMC-Na溶液,给药体积均为10 mL/kg。给药结束后,取血和肝脏,肝组织切片后进行HE染色和油红O染色,光学显微镜观察病理变化;采用基于气相色谱-质谱联用（GC/MS）的代谢组学方法检测血清和肝脏组织样品,数据通过Simca-P13.0及Metaboanalysis网络工具进行分析,找出代谢组变化趋势和相关差异化合物。此外,制备小鼠肝原代细胞,棕榈酸（PA）100 mmol/L诱导细胞NAFLD体外模型,观察CUR （10 μmol/L）对代谢组变化的影响。结果 油红O染色结果显示,HFD小鼠肝脏组织存在大量红染油滴,CUR组小鼠肝脏组织中的脂质油滴明显减少。HE染色分析显示,与C组比较,HFD组小鼠肝脏组织有空泡状,CUR组小鼠肝脏组织与C组比较没有明显区别。对血清样和肝组织样品的GC-MS数据进行PLS-DA分析发现C组与HFD组偏离较远,而CUR组与HFD组相比出现向C组偏移的趋势,进一步S-plot分析发现影响较大的代谢为胆固醇的合成、酮体的生成以及氨基酸代谢,细胞实验得到了类似的结果;经通路MetPA分析和代谢产物富集,血清和细胞中各组间差异化合物代谢主要集中在氨基酸代谢,肝脏中代谢差异主要集中在氨基酸代谢和部分脂质代谢通路;进一步进行差异代谢物的筛选,HFD组生糖氨基酸和生酮氨基酸较对照组均有不同程度的升高,CUR能够降低这些氨基酸的水平。结论 高脂饮食会造成小鼠三大代谢的异常,姜黄素能够一定程度上改善小鼠代谢紊乱。     

Plasma microRNAs are sensitive indicators of inter-strain differences in the severity of liver injury induced in mice by a choline- and folate-deficient diet

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, conserved, tissue-specific regulatory non-coding RNAs that modulate a variety of biological processes and play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of major human diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the association between inter-individual differences in susceptibility to NAFLD and altered miRNA expression is largely unknown. In view of this, the goals of the present study were (i) to determine whether or not individual differences in the extent of NAFLD-induced liver injury are associated with altered miRNA expression, and (ii) assess if circulating blood miRNAs may be used as potential biomarkers for the noninvasive evaluation of the severity of NAFLD. A panel of seven genetically diverse strains of inbred male mice (A/J, C57BL/6J, C3H/HeJ, 129S/SvImJ, CAST/EiJ, PWK/PhJ, and WSB/EiJ) were fed a choline- and folate-deficient (CFD) diet for 12 weeks. This diet induced liver injury in all mouse strains; however, the extent of NAFLD-associated pathomorphological changes in the livers was strain-specific, with A/J, C57BL/6J, and C3H/HeJ mice being the least sensitive and WSB/EiJ mice being the most sensitive. The morphological changes in the livers were accompanied by differences in the levels of hepatic and plasma miRNAs. The levels of circulating miR-34a, miR-122, miR-181a, miR-192, and miR-200b miRNAs were significantly correlated with a severity of NAFLD-specific liver pathomorphological features, with the strongest correlation occurring with miR-34a. These observations suggest that the plasma levels of miRNAs may be used as biomarkers for noninvasive monitoring the extent of NAFLD-associated liver injury and susceptibility to NAFLD.     

Altered arsenic disposition in experimental nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is represented by a spectrum of liver pathologies ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Liver damage sustained in the progressive stages of NAFLD may alter the ability of the liver to properly metabolize and eliminate xenobiotics. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether NAFLD alters the disposition of the environmental toxicant arsenic. C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat or a methionine-choline-deficient diet to model simple steatosis and NASH, respectively. At the conclusion of the dietary regimen, all mice were given a single oral dose of either sodium arsenate or arsenic trioxide. Mice with NASH excreted significantly higher levels of total arsenic in urine (24 h) compared with controls. Total arsenic in the liver and kidneys of NASH mice was not altered; however, NASH liver retained significantly higher levels of the monomethyl arsenic metabolite, whereas dimethyl arsenic was retained significantly less in the kidneys of NASH mice. NASH mice had significantly higher levels of the more toxic trivalent form in their urine, whereas the pentavalent form was preferentially retained in the liver of NASH mice. Moreover, hepatic protein expression of the arsenic biotransformation enzyme arsenic (3+ oxidation state) methyltransferase was not altered in NASH animals, whereas protein expression of the membrane transporter multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 was increased, implicating cellular transport rather than biotransformation as a possible mechanism. These results suggest that NASH alters the disposition of arsenical species, which may have significant implications on the overall toxicity associated with arsenic in NASH.     

化合物ALI-57对小鼠急性药物性肝损伤活性的初步评价

目的 初步评价化合物ALI-57对对乙酰氨基酚诱导的急性药物性肝损伤活性。方法 48只C57/BL6小鼠随机分为6组，即正常组、模型组、阳性对照组(乙酰半胱氨酸300 mg·kg^–1)和化合物ALI-57低、中、高剂量组(75，150，300 mg·kg^–1)，每组8只。连续灌胃给药3 d，末次给药1 h后，除正常组外其余各组小鼠按350 mg·kg^–1的剂量腹腔注射对乙酰氨基酚进行造模，禁食不禁水，8 h后腹腔静脉取血，进行血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)，肝组织中丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)以及谷氨酸脱氢酶(GDH)的检测；提取肝组织用于病理HE染色检查。结果 与正常组比较，模型组血清中ALT、AST水平显著升高，肝组织中MDA和GDH含量升高，而SOD和GSH活性水平下降，组织HE病理染色结果显示肝组织损伤明显增加。与模型组比较，化合物ALI-57中、高剂量组血清中ALT、AST水平显著降低(P<0.05)，肝组织中MDA和GDH含量明显下降(P<0.05)，而肝组织中SOD和GSH活性水平显著升高(P<0.05)，低剂量组与模型组比较无显著性差异。结论 化合物ALI-57能够通过降低氧化应激和提高抗氧化能力对对乙酰氨基酚诱导的急性药物性肝损伤发挥明显的保护作用。     

高脂饲料诱发非酒精性脂肪肝实验研究

目的探讨正常饮食和高脂肪饮食对小鼠体重、血糖、葡萄糖耐受、血脂、脂肪肝的影响。方法雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为MD10%和MD45%脂肪含量饲料组,喂养3个月,检测动物体重、血糖、葡萄糖耐受、血脂,以及主要脏器重量及肝脏脂质含量。结果与正常组（MD10%脂肪含量）相比,高脂组（MD45%脂肪含量）动物体重显著增加,出现明显的糖耐量异常和血脂水平升高,同时伴有肝脏脂质含量增加。结论高脂饮食对非酒精性脂肪肝有较强的诱导作用。     

Effect of morphine on the tissue cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP content in two strains of mice

The effect of morphine on the cyclic (c) AMP and cyclic (c) GMP concentrations in several organs, and its reversal by naloxone have been investigated in C57BL and DBA strains of mice. Morphine increased the cAMP contents in lungs and muscle, and the cGMP contents in lungs, intestine, heart, liver and muscle in a naloxone-reversible way in C57BL mice only. This is consistent with our previous observation that morphine increased plasma cyclic nucleotide levels in C57BL mice, whereas such an increase was marginal in the DBA strain. These results show that there is a strain difference in the effect of morphine on tissue cyclic nucleotide contents and the possible origin of the plasma cyclic nucleotides which are increased by morphine.     

Tissue-specific and dose-related accumulation of arsenic in mouse offspring following maternal consumption of arsenic-contaminated water

The developmental toxicity of arsenic is not as well characterized as other metals such as lead or mercury. Many previous animal studies have used an acute exposure paradigm, which does not model chronic, low-level human exposure. The following study administered 10, 20, 40, 80 or 100 ppm sodium arsenite in drinking water to pregnant C57BL6/J mice. Adipose, blood, brain, breastmilk in stomach, kidney and liver tissues were collected from male and female offspring on postnatal day (PND) 1 and 21 to allow for disposition comparisons between tissues, sexes and across time. The 100 ppm dose was foetotoxic. Significantly fewer female pups were born in litters exposed to 80 ppm, while significantly more male pups were born in litters exposed to 20 ppm. Total arsenic levels differed between tissues with the highest levels in the brain and kidney in PND1 offspring. Levels were higher on PND1 than PND21, and there were few sex differences. The dose-response relationships in PND1 tissues were curvilinear, but in PND21 liver and kidney tissues, arsenic levels in control animals were significantly higher than levels in exposed animals. The tissue and age-specific disposition suggests that common biomarkers such as blood and urinary arsenic are not accurate predictors of levels in sensitive organs such as the brain.     

益肾排毒丸调节AMPK/ACC信号通路对db/db小鼠肝损伤的保护作用研究

目的：探究益肾排毒丸（YSPDW）对db/db小鼠肝损伤的保护作用及其对脂代谢通路的影响机制。方法：C57BL/6小鼠作为空白对照组、8周龄的db/db小鼠分为非酒精性脂肪肝（non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD）模型组、益肾排毒丸治疗组和二甲双胍阳性对照组。给药8周后检测小鼠肝脏系数、随机血糖、肝功能（丙氨转氨酶ALT、谷草转氨酶AST）、血脂（总胆固醇TC、三酰甘油TG、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇HDL-C、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇LDL-C）、肝脏脂质（TC、TG）、肝脏抗氧化因子（谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶GSH-Px、谷胱甘肽GSH、超氧化物歧化酶SOD、丙二醛MDA、过氧化氢酶CAT）、肝脏炎性因子（TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β、MCP-1）等指标的变化。HE和PAS染色评估小鼠肝脏形态变化、脂肪变性和糖原沉积。Western blot检测脂代谢AMPK/ACC信号通路相关蛋白表达。结果：与模型组相比,益肾排毒丸给药组和二甲双胍组小鼠随机血糖和肝脏系数显著降低。生化指标检测结果显示益肾排毒丸可显著降低NAFLD模型小鼠血清AST、ALT、TC、TG水平和肝组织TC、TG、MDA水平,升高HDL-C含量,发挥肝保护作用;ELISA结果表明益肾排毒丸能明显升高NAFLD小鼠肝组织GSH-Px、GSH和SOD活性,显著降低肝脏炎性细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β和MCP-1的水平,表明益肾排毒丸可增加机体抗氧化能力,抑制炎症因子释放。HE和PAS结果显示益肾排毒丸可明显减轻肝组织脂肪变性和炎症细胞浸润,改善肝细胞的结构和形态完整。Western blot结果表明,益肾排毒丸能激活AMPK/ACC信号通路,显著增加模型小鼠肝脏p-AMPK和p-ACC蛋白表达。结论：益肾排毒丸可能通过促进AMPK/ACC信号通路来改善肝脏氧化应激、炎性反应,减少脂质合成,从而改善NAFLD的肝损伤。     

Endothelial Nlrp3 inflammasome activation is associated with endothelial function in mice fed a methionine choline-deficient diet

OBJECTIVE Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is characterized by steatosis, liver inflammation and fibrosis, and increases the risk of endothelial dysfunction, but the molecular mechanisms between NAFLD and vascular endothelial dysfunction is still unclear. In this study, we explore whether Endothelial Nlrp3 inflammasome play a role in the process of endothelial dysfunction induced by NAFLD. METHODS Male C57 BL/6 J wildtype(Nlrp3~(+/+)) mice were fed with either amethionine and choline deficient(MCD) diet or methionine and choline sufficient(MCS) diet for 2, 4 and 6 weeks, then determining NAFLD phenotype and vascular endothelial function.RESULTS Wild-typemice fed with MCD diet developed steatohepatitis and endothelial dysfunction. The expression of e NOS, ZO-1, ZO-2 and VE-cadherin in vascular endothelium was decreased at 2,4 and 6 weeks, meanwhile, ICAM-1, Nlrp3, Caspase-1 was increased. CONCLUSION NAFLD induced endothelial dysfunction and increases vascular permeability via NLRP3 activation.     

脂肪酶对大鼠非酒精性脂肪肝的防治作用

目的 研究脂肪酶对高脂饲料诱导的大鼠非酒精性脂肪肝(non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)的防治作用。方法 60只Wistar大鼠,♂,随机分成正常组、模型组和脂肪酶高、中、低剂量组。模型组和脂肪酶组给予高脂饲料喂养以形成NAFLD模型,脂肪酶组同时灌胃给予脂肪酶。12周后处死大鼠,检测血清TG,TC,HDL-C含量并计算TC/HDL-C值,同时对肝组织进行HE染色。结果 脂肪酶能有效降低大鼠体重和肝重指数,明显降低模型组大鼠血清TG,TC含量及肝内脂肪沉积,改善肝细胞的脂肪性病变,但对HDL-C含量无明显影响。结论 脂肪酶能有效防治大鼠NAFLD。     

Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 7 accelerates hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

An association between increased insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐7 (IGFBP7) expression and insulin resistance in metabolic diseases has been reported. However, the role and molecular mechanism of IGFBP‐7 in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains largely unknown. Therefore, the potential function of IGFBP7 in the pathological progression of NAFLD was explored in this investigation. For in vivo experiments, an animal model of NAFLD was established in C57BL/6 mice by feeding a high‐fat diet (HFD), and IGFBP7 was knocked down by injecting adeno‐associated adenovirus (AAV)‐mediated short‐hairpin (sh)‐IGFBP7 into the liver. We found that AAV‐sh‐IGFBP7 treatment significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury and inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation by reducing lipogenesis‐associated gene expression. Furthermore, downregulation of IGFBP7 markedly ameliorated IR and restored impaired insulin signalling by elevating the phosphorylation levels of IRS‐1, Akt and GSK3β in HFD‐treated mice. Similar results were also confirmed by an in vitro study in a palmitic acid (PA)‐stimulated HepG2 cell model. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that IGFBP7 contributes to hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in NAFLD development, which might serve as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of NAFLD.     

体外培育牛黄在慢性溃疡性结肠炎小鼠中的抗凋亡机制

目的：研究体外培育牛黄（Calculus Bovis Sativus,CBS）在慢性溃疡性结肠炎（ulcerative colitis,UC）中的抗凋亡机制。方法：将28只雄性C57BL/6小鼠采用随机数表法分为4组,分别为：正常对照组,模型对照组,CBS低剂量组和CBS高剂量组。给予2%葡聚糖硫酸钠（dextran sulfate sodium,DSS）溶液分3个周期诱导慢性溃疡性结肠炎模型。CBS低剂量组和CBS高剂量组在造模期间的最后7 d分别给予50,150 mg·kg^-1·d^-1CBS灌胃处理。计算小鼠生存率,观察结肠组织形态学改变,苏木素-伊红染色、糖原染色评价小鼠结肠损伤情况,TUNEL检测结肠细胞凋亡情况,Western Blot检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白Caspase3、Bcl-2、Bax表达水平。结果：与正常对照组相比,模型对照组小鼠生存率明显下降,结肠组织损伤严重,结肠细胞凋亡率显著增加;Caspase3、Bax蛋白表达量增加而Bcl-2表达减少,Bax/Bcl-2比值升高。经CBS处理后,小鼠生存率提高,结肠组织损伤得到缓解,结肠细胞凋亡率明显下降;Caspase3、Bax蛋白表达水平下调而Bcl-2表达上调,Bax/Bcl-2比值也有所降低。结论：CBS能够通过抑制结肠细胞的凋亡对DSS诱导的慢性UC产生疗效,其抗凋亡机制可能是对细胞凋亡相关蛋白Caspase3、Bcl-2、Bax表达的调控作用。     

A novel animal model of metabolic syndrome with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and skin inflammation

Abstract

Context: Metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the emerging co-morbidities of skin inflammation. Occurrence of skin inflammation such as psoriasis is substantially higher in NAFLD patients than normal. Currently, there are no animal models to study the interaction between these co-morbidities.

Objective: The present study seeks to develop a simple mouse model of NAFLD-enhanced skin inflammation and to study the effect of NAFLD on different parameters of skin inflammation.

Materials and method: Metabolic syndrome and NAFLD were induced in C57BL/6 mice by feeding high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal) and high fructose liquid (HFL, 40% kcal) in drinking water. Skin inflammation was induced by repeated application of oxazolone (1% sensitization and repeated 0.5% challenge) in both normal and NAFLD mice and various parameters of skin inflammation and NAFLD were measured.

Results: HFD and HFL diet induced obesity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and histological features of NAFLD in mice. Oxazolone challenge significantly increased ear thickness, ear weight, MPO activity, NF-κB activity, and histological features of skin inflammation in NAFLD mice as compared with normal mice. Overall, induction of oxazolone-induced skin inflammation was more prominent in NAFLD mice than normal mice. Hence, HFD and HFL diet followed by topical oxazolone application develops metabolic syndrome, NAFLD, and enhanced skin inflammation in mice.

Discussion and conclusion: This simple model can be utilized to evaluate a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and NAFLD with skin inflammation and also to understand the nexus between these co-morbidities.     

甘草酸二铵磷脂复合物对小鼠慢性肝损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨甘草酸二铵磷脂复合物注射剂（DG-PC）对C57BL/6J小鼠慢性免疫性肝脏损害的保护作用。方法：复制C57BL/6J小鼠慢性免疫性肝脏损害模型,测定血清ALT、AST、蛋白和透明质酸（HA）,肝匀浆中超氧化物岐化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽（GSH）、I型胶原（C.I）,并对肝脏组织切片进行电镜观察。结果：DG-PC可以明显改善肝损小鼠AST水平、提高白蛋白（ALB）含量、升高白球比（A/G）、降低HA含量（P〈0.01）,提高肝损小鼠的SOD和GSH水平（P〈0.01）,治疗效果优于甘草酸二铵（DG）。小鼠肝组织透射电镜观察显示DG-PC可以保护肝细胞和细胞器,减轻纤维化程度。结论：DG-PC对于C57BL/6J小鼠慢性免疫性肝损伤均具有一定的保护作用,可能与抗氧化等活性有关。     

The distribution of cocaine in mice differs by age and strain

Few studies have examined the influence of the age and the strain of mouse on the pharmacokinetics of psychostimulants, or the role of pharmacokinetics in age-related differences in drug responses. The present study compared concentrations of cocaine, and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BZE), in the blood and brain of early (P35) and later (P42) periadolescent and adult (P63) CD-1 and C57BL/6 male mice 15 min after acute intraperitoneal injection of cocaine (20 mg/kg). Brain levels of cocaine and BZE after seven daily cocaine injections in CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice beginning on P35 and on P63 were also measured. P35 periadolescents of both strains had lower blood cocaine levels than did the adults, but only C57BL/6 periadolescents had lower brain cocaine levels than the adults. C57BL/6 mice of both ages had higher blood cocaine levels than did the corresponding CD-1 mice. Concomitant with lower cocaine levels, periadolescent CD-1 mice had higher blood BZE levels than the adults, suggesting that periadolescents may metabolize cocaine faster. Brain cocaine levels in P42 C57BL/6 mice were similar to those of adults. Cocaine-induced activity did not differ between periadolescent and adult CD-1 mice after a single injection of cocaine, whereas periadolescent C57BL/6 mice had lower activity levels than did the adults after a single cocaine injection. Periadolescent CD-1 mice exhibited higher levels of locomotor activity following cocaine injection than did periadolescent C57BL/6 mice. Following chronic cocaine administration, cocaine and BZE levels in the brains of periadolescent and adult mice did not differ from each other in either strain. However, brain cocaine levels at both ages were lower in CD-1 mice than in C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, the age and the strain of mouse significantly affect the levels of cocaine obtained in brain and blood following acute administration. Our data are consistent with the notion that CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice metabolize cocaine faster during the early periadolescent period than as adults. Furthermore, potentially important strain differences between CD-1 and C57BL/6 mice were noted in cocaine levels following acute and chronic cocaine administration, and in locomotor activity following acute cocaine administration.     

中药蛤蚧对非酒精性脂肪肝内质网应激的影响分析

目的：探析中药蛤蚧对非酒精性脂肪肝内质网应激的影响。方法以60只健康雄性C57BL/6小鼠进行研究,高脂饲料喂养的小鼠纳入模型组(n=30),普通饲料标准喂养的小鼠纳入正常对照组(n=30)。模型组中应用中药蛤蚧的小鼠为A组,生理盐水为B组;正常对照组中应用中药蛤蚧的小鼠为C组,生理盐水组为D组。比较建模前后、喂药前后小鼠肝脏内质网应激,具体用丙二醛( MDA)、还原性谷胱甘肽( GSH)及氧化型谷胱甘肽( GSSG)等指标。结果两组建模前MDA、GSH及GSSG的差异无统计学意义(P>0．05),建模后正常对照组各项指标无明显变化(P>0．05);建模后模型组MDA、GSSG升高、GSH降低(P<0．05)。 B、C、D组喂药前后差异无统计学意义(P>0．05);A组(中药蛤蚧)喂药后MDA与GSSG均明显降低、GSH升高(P<0．05)。结论中药蛤蚧具有调节脂质代谢、保肝、抗炎、抗氧化、增强免疫、提高细胞对内质网应激忍耐性等作用,在非酒精性脂肪肝中的应用可通过发挥降脂作用启动肝细胞内质网胁迫机制,最终保护肝脏组织。     

ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸治疗非酒精性脂肪性肝病的研究进展

非酒精性脂肪性肝病(nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD)是由多种危险因素,如营养过剩、胰岛素抵抗(insulin resistance,IR)及相关代谢紊乱等诱导的慢性肝损伤,是代谢综合征在肝脏的病理表现。其病程的进展表现为非酒精性单纯性脂肪肝(nonalcoholic simple fatty liver,NAFL)、非酒精性脂肪性肝炎(nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,NASH)、脂肪性肝纤维化和脂肪性肝硬化。NAFLD患病率逐年升高,已成为我国最常见的慢性肝病之一。NAFLD的治疗主要为增加运动、健康饮食等基础治疗,药物治疗尚未达成共识。ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸(ω-3 polyunsattrated fatty acids,ω-3PUFAs)具有调节血脂的功能。NAFLD患者ω-3PUFAs水平较低,增加饮食中的ω-3PUFAs可以延缓病情进展,改善肝脏脂代谢的失衡和肝细胞的炎性损伤。本文主要就ω-3PUFAs对NAFLD治疗的研究进展作一综述。     

Efficacy and safety of fluoxetine monotherapy in bipolar depression: a systematic review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Western countries with up to 30% of the population affected. Since NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, these patients should be stratified for CV risk factors, including atherogenic dyslipidemia, and managed accordingly. Lifestyle modifications represent an effective treatment for NAFLD, since most patients are overweight or obese. Also, promising, but not conclusive, results are available for current pharmacologic treatment. Drugs potentially effective against NAFLD include insulin sensitisers as well as fibrates and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, while there is reluctance to use statins in patients with suspected or established chronic liver disease. Several other therapeutic options are potentially available, and more data are expected from new peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists and incretin-based therapies.     

Genetic variation of basal iron status, ferritin and iron regulatory protein in mice: potential for modulation of oxidative stress

Toxic and carcinogenic free radical processes induced by drugs and other chemicals are probably modulated by the participation of available iron. To see whether endogenous iron was genetically variable in normal mice, the common strains C57BL/10ScSn, C57BL/6J, BALB/c, DBA/2, and SWR were examined for major differences in their hepatic non-heme iron contents. Levels in SWR mice were 3- to 5-fold higher than in the two C57BL strains, with intermediate levels in DBA/2 and BALB/c mice. Concentrations in kidney, lung, and especially spleen of SWR mice were also greater than those in C57BL mice. Non-denaturing PAGE of hepatic ferritin from all strains showed a major holoferritin band at approximately 600 kDa, with SWR mice having > 3-fold higher levels than C57BL strains. SDS PAGE showed a band of 22 kDa, mainly representing L-ferritin subunits. A trace of a subunit at 18 kDa was also detected in ferritin from SWR mice. The 18 kDa subunit and a 500 kDa holoferritin from which it originates were observed in all strains after parenteral iron overload, and there was no major variation in ferritin patterns. Although iron uptake studies showed no evidence for differential duodenal absorption between strains to explain the variation in basal iron levels, acquisition of absorbed iron by the liver was significantly higher in SWR mice than C57BL/6J. As with iron and ferritin contents, total iron regulatory protein (IRP-1) binding capacity for mRNA iron responsive element (IRE) and actual IRE/IRP binding in the liver were significantly greater in SWR than C57BL/6J mice. Cytosolic aconitase activity, representing unbound IRP-1, tended to be lower in the former strain. SWR mice were more susceptible than C57BL/10ScSn mice to the toxic action of diquat, which is thought to involve iron catalysis. If extrapolated to humans, the findings could suggest that some people might have the propensity for greater basal hepatic iron stores than others, which might make them more susceptible to iron-catalysed toxicity caused by oxidants.