Fluoxetine-induced hepatic lipid accumulation is mediated by prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 1 and is linked to elevated 15-deoxy-Δ12,14PGJ2

Major depressive disorder and other neuropsychiatric disorders are often managed with long-term use of antidepressant medication. Fluoxetine, an SSRI antidepressant, is widely used as a first-line treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders. However, fluoxetine has also been shown to increase the risk of metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fluoxetine has been shown to increase hepatic lipid accumulation in vivo and in vitro. In addition, fluoxetine has been shown to alter the production of prostaglandins which have also been implicated in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of fluoxetine exposure on the prostaglandin biosynthetic pathway and lipid accumulation in a hepatic cell line (H4-II-E-C3 cells). Fluoxetine treatment increased mRNA expression of prostaglandin biosynthetic enzymes (Ptgs1, Ptgs2, and Ptgds), PPAR gamma (Pparg), and PPAR gamma downstream targets involved in fatty acid uptake (Cd36, Fatp2, and Fatp5) as well as production of 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14PGJ₂ a PPAR gamma ligand. The effects of fluoxetine to induce lipid accumulation were attenuated with a PTGS1 specific inhibitor (SC-560), whereas inhibition of PTGS2 had no effect. Moreover, SC-560 attenuated 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14PGJ₂ production and expression of PPAR gamma downstream target genes. Taken together these results suggest that fluoxetine-induced lipid abnormalities appear to be mediated via PTGS1 and its downstream product 15d-PGJ₂ and suggest a novel therapeutic target to prevent some of the adverse effects of fluoxetine treatment.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of aloe vera in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND Aloe vera exerts several biological activities, such as, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. It was recently shown to reduce insulin resistance and triglyceride level. We hypothesized that aloe vera would have beneficial effects in alleviating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) in rats.AIM To examine the therapeutic effects of aloe vera in NASH rats.METHODS All rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n = 6 in each group). Rats in the control group were fed ad libitum with a standard diet for 8 wk. Rats in the NASH group were fed ad libitum with a high-fat high-fructose diet(HFHFD) for 8 wk. Rats in the aloe vera group were fed ad libitum with a HFHFD and aloe vera in dimethylsulfoxide(50 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 8 wk. Liver samples were collected at the end of the treatment period.RESULTS Hepatic malondialdehyde(MDA) levels increased significantly in the NASH group as compared with the control group(377 ± 77 nmol/mg vs 129 ± 51 nmol/mg protein, respectively, P 0.001). Glutathione(GSH) levels were significantly lower in the NASH group than the control group(9 ± 2 nmol/mg vs 24 ± 8 nmol/mg protein, respectively, P = 0.001). The expression of interleukin-18(IL-18), nuclear factor-kappa β, and caspase-3 increased, while peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma decreased in the NASH group compared with the controls. Following aloe vera administration, MDA levels decreased(199 ± 35 nmol/mg protein) and GSH increased(18 ± 4 nmol/mg protein) markedly. Steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation and increased hepatocyte apoptosis were observed in the NASH group. Aloe vera treatment attenuated these changes in liver histology.CONCLUSION Aloe vera attenuated oxidative stress, hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte apoptosis, thus improving liver pathology in rats with NASH.     

Inadequate dietary magnesium intake increases atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits

Epidemiological studies have shown dietary magnesium (Mg) intake and serum Mg levels to be inversely correlated with the development of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that low levels of Mg would promote atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits (4 months old, n = 22) were fed an atherogenic diet containing 0.12% (−Mg), 0.27% (control), or 0.43% (+Mg) Mg for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks and were assayed for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL, triglycerides (TG), C-reactive protein, serum Mg, and erythrocyte Mg. Aortas from −Mg had significantly more plaque, with an intima thickness 42% greater than control and 36% greater than +Mg. Serum cholesterol levels rose over time, and at 8 weeks, −Mg had the highest and +Mg the lowest total and non-HDL cholesterol and TG levels, although these results did not reach significance. Over time, serum Mg levels increased, and erythrocyte Mg levels decreased. C-reactive protein significantly increased in all groups at 4 and 6 weeks but returned to baseline levels by 8 weeks. This study supports the hypothesis that inadequate intake of Mg results in an increase in atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits.     

亚油酸对纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂-1表达的影响及其机制

目的探讨过氧化体增殖物激活型受体α（PPARα）的特异性激活物亚油酸对HepG2细胞1型纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂（PAI-1）mRNA表达及其活性的影响和在该基因转录调控中的作用机制.方法用不同浓度亚油酸为诱导因素刺激HepG2细胞,采用半定量RT-PCR法检测PAI-1mRNA水平,发色底物法检测PAI-1的活性变化.构建四个含PAI-1启动子序列从-804～＋17间不同长度片段驱动的荧光素酶报告基因质粒,体外瞬时转染HepG2细胞,检测荧光素酶的活性.结果与对照组相比,亚油酸组能使HepG2细胞PAI-1mRNA表达及蛋白活性显著升高（P＜0.05,P＜0.01）,且呈一定剂量依赖性;亚油酸诱导可使PAI-1转录活性显著升高（P＜0.01）;与转染质粒PAI-pGL3-A（-804/＋17）相比较,当转染质粒含有PAI-pGL3-B（-636/＋17）、PAI-pGL3-C（-449/＋17）时,荧光素酶活性显著降低（P＜0.01）;共转染PPARα表达质粒（PPARα-pSG5）的细胞在亚油酸诱导下PAI-1转录活性显著升高（P＜0.01）.结论亚油酸可以增加HepG2细胞PAI-1mRNA表达及其蛋白活性,调节PAI-1的基因转录,PPARα参与亚油酸对PAI-1基因的表达调控;在PAI-1启动子-804～-636、-449～-276区域内存在亚油酸作用的调控PAI-1基因表达的序列.     

Administration of ciprofibrate to lactating mothers induces PPARα-signaling pathway in the liver and kidney of suckling rats

It is well known that the hypolipidemic drug ciprofibrate induces peroxisome proliferation in rodent liver, which in turn leads to the oxidative stress, and modifies some parameters related to cell proliferation and apoptosis. The administration of ciprofibrate to rats during the lactating period determined in their pups significant modifications in hepatic peroxisome enzyme activities, induction of the PPARalpha-target gene, Cyp4a10, and perturbation in cell proliferation and apoptosis, which affected the size of the liver. Moreover, this modification was associated to about two-fold induction of mRNA-PPARalpha. On the contrary, in the kidney, although a similar two-fold up-regulation of PPARalpha was detected, the induction of both peroxisomal enzyme activities and Cyp4a10 were weak, and no alterations were detected, neither in cell cycle nor in the size of the tissue. Our results indicate that the response to ciprofibrate is stronger in the liver than in the kidney of newborn rats.     

Human multiple myeloma cells express peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and undergo apoptosis upon exposure to PPARgamma ligands

Multiple myeloma is essentially an incurable malignancy and it is therefore of great interest to develop new therapeutic approaches. We previously reported that human B cell-lymphomas express the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and are killed by PPARgamma ligands. Herein, we investigate the therapeutic potential of PPARgamma ligands for multiple myeloma. The human multiple myeloma cell lines ANBL6 and 8226 express PPARgamma mRNA and protein. The PPARgamma ligands, 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) and ciglitazone, induced multiple myeloma cell apoptosis as determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase activation. Importantly, the ability of PPARgamma ligands to kill both multiple myeloma cell lines was not abrogated by Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multiple myeloma growth survival factor. Finally, the RXR ligand 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA) in combination with PPARgamma ligands greatly enhanced multiple myeloma cell killing. These new findings support that PPARgamma ligands may represent a novel therapy for multiple myeloma.     

PPARγ在不同周龄apoE-/-小鼠主动脉斑块表达及与斑块成份的相互关系

目的:研究PPARγ基因表达与ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉斑块成份的相互关系。方法:以20和40周龄ApoE-/-小鼠(n=10/组)为研究对象,相同基因背景和周龄C57BL/6 J小鼠设为对照。采用RT-PCR和免疫印迹技术检测各组小鼠主动脉PPARγ基因和蛋白表达变化;Movat 5色套染法和油红O染色检测ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉斑块成份;免疫组织化学技术检测斑块内PPARγ、SM-actin、MOMA-2抗原表达。结合免疫荧光技术分析PPARγ基因在主动脉斑块巨噬细胞、平滑肌细胞的表达及与脂质、弹性纤维、胶原和蛋白聚糖的相互关系。结果:20和40周龄C57BL/6 J小鼠主动脉壁有少量PPARγ表达,以20周龄组明显。ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉壁和斑块内PPARγ表达增多,以斑块内表达明显(P<0.05);与20周龄组比较,40周龄组表达最显著;且斑块脂质含量丰富;弹性纤维、胶原和蛋白聚糖含量减少,血管正性重塑明显;MOMA-2表达增加,SM-actin表达降低(P<0.05)。PPARγ在斑块内巨噬细胞、血管中膜平滑肌细胞和斑块内平滑肌细胞都有表达,但以脂质含量丰富处PPARγ表达最明显。结论:PPARγ在C57BL/6 J小鼠动脉壁表达随增龄而减少;在ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉壁和斑块内PPARγ表达随AS病变进程而增加。推测ApoE-/-小鼠主动脉斑块PPARγ表达上调可能是机体一种代偿行为和自我保护机制。     

阿托伐他汀对自发性高血压大鼠心肌组织PPARs表达的影响

目的： 探讨阿托伐他汀对自发性高血压大鼠心肌组织PPARs（peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPARs）表达的影响及其对心肌肥厚的逆转作用与可能机制。方法: 自发性高血压大鼠分为阿托伐他汀灌胃治疗组（SHR-A，30 mg·kg-1·d-1）及模型组（SHR），治疗8周，同周龄Wistar-Kyoto 鼠为正常血压对照组。治疗前及治疗后2、4、8周测量大鼠尾动脉血压。治疗后测血浆血脂水平，以心脏组织病理分析判断心肌肥厚，Western blotting 检测心肌组织PPARα、PPARγ的表达水平。结果: 经过8周治疗， SHR-A组及SHR组血压及血脂水平无明显差异（P＞0.05）。SHR-A组左室重量指数低于SHR组（P＜0.01）。在SHR-A组，PPARα及PPARγ表达高于SHR组（P＜0.01）。结论: 阿托伐他汀显著改善自发性高血压大鼠心肌组织PPARs表达，有效逆转左室肥厚，可能与其降压及降脂作用无关。     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and liver cancer: where do we stand?

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- (PPAR), first identified in 1990 as a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, has a central role in the regulation of numerous target genes encoding proteins that modulate fatty acid transport and catabolism. PPAR is the molecular target for the widely prescribed lipid-lowering fibrate drugs and the diverse class of chemicals collectively referred to as peroxisome proliferators. The lipid-lowering function of PPAR occurs across a number of mammalian species, thus demonstrating the essential role of this nuclear receptor in lipid homeostasis. In contrast, prolonged administration of PPAR agonists causes hepatocarcinogenesis, specifically in rats and mice, indicating that PPAR also mediates this effect. There is no strong evidence that the low-affinity fibrate ligands are associated with cancer in humans, but it still remains a possibility that chronic activation with high-affinity ligands could be carcinogenic in humans. It is now established that the species difference between rodents and humans in response to peroxisome proliferators is due in part to PPAR. The cascade of molecular events leading to liver cancer in rodents involves hepatocyte proliferation and oxidative stress, but the PPAR target genes that mediate this response are unknown. This review focuses on the current understanding of the role of PPAR in hepatocarcinogenesis and identifies future research directions that should be taken to delineate the mechanisms underlying PPAR agonist-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Chronic Oleoylethanolamide Treatment Decreases Hepatic Triacylglycerol Level in Rat Liver by a PPARγ/SREBP-Mediated Suppression of Fatty Acid and Triacylglycerol Synthesis

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a naturally occurring bioactive lipid belonging to the family of N-acylethanolamides. A variety of beneficial effects have been attributed to OEA, although the greater interest is due to its potential role in the treatment of obesity, fatty liver, and eating-related disorders. To better clarify the mechanism of the antiadipogenic effect of OEA in the liver, using a lipidomic study performed by ¹H-NMR, LC-MS/MS and thin-layer chromatography analyses we evaluated the whole lipid composition of rat liver, following a two-week daily treatment of OEA (10 mg kg⁻¹ i.p.). We found that OEA induced a significant reduction in hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) content and significant changes in sphingolipid composition and ceramidase activity. We associated the antiadipogenic effect of OEA to decreased activity and expression of key enzymes involved in fatty acid and TAG syntheses, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1. Moreover, we found that both SREBP-1 and PPARγ protein expression were significantly reduced in the liver of OEA-treated rats. Our findings add significant and important insights into the molecular mechanism of OEA on hepatic adipogenesis, and suggest a possible link between the OEA-induced changes in sphingolipid metabolism and suppression of hepatic TAG level.