Deficiency in Inactive Rhomboid Protein2 (iRhom2) Alleviates Alcoholic Liver Fibrosis by Suppressing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

Chronic alcohol exposure can lead to liver pathology relating to inflammation and oxidative stress, which are two of the major factors in the incidence of liver fibrosis and even liver cancer. The underlying molecular mechanisms regarding hepatic lesions associated with alcohol are not fully understood. Considering that the recently identified iRhom2 is a key pathogenic mediator of inflammation, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to explore its regulatory role in alcohol-induced liver fibrosis. We found that iRhom2 knockout significantly inhibited alcohol-induced inflammatory responses in vitro, including elevated expressions of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) and genes associated with inflammatory signaling pathways, such as TACE (tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme), TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1), and TNFR2, as well as the activation of NF-κB. The in vivo results confirmed that long-term alcohol exposure leads to hepatocyte damage and fibrous accumulation. In this pathological process, the expression of iRhom2 is promoted to activate the TACE/NF-κB signaling pathway, leading to inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the deletion of iRhom2 blocks the TACE/NF-κB signaling pathway and reduces liver damage and fibrosis caused by alcohol. Additionally, the activation of the JNK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway caused by alcohol exposure was also noted in vitro and in vivo. In the same way, knockout or deleting iRhom2 blocked the JNK/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to regulate the oxidative stress. Therefore, we contend that iRhom2 is a key regulator that promotes inflammatory responses and regulates oxidative stress in alcoholic liver fibrosis lesions. We posit that iRhom2 is potentially a new therapeutic target for alcoholic liver fibrosis.

I4, a new synthetic sulfonylurea compound, inhibits the action of TXA2 in vivo and in vitro on platelets and aorta vascular smooth muscle.

INTRODUCTION: 1-[4-[2-(4-Bromobenzene-sulfonamino)ethyl]phenylsulfonyl]-3-(trans-4-methylcy-clohexyl)urea(I(4), CAS865483-06-3); a totally synthetic new sulfonylurea compound, combining the hypoglycemic active structure of Glimepiride (CAS 93479-97-1) and anti-TXA(2) receptor (TP) active structure of BM-531(CAS 284464-46-6), was designed and synthesized. Its effects on TXA(2) synthesis and TP have not been reported yet. AIM: To study the inhibitory effects of I(4) and its mechanisms of action on TXA(2) and TP. METHODS: Platelet aggregation studies were performed on human platelet, rat whole blood platelet and rabbit platelet, platelets aggregation was induced by TP agonist U-46619(stable analog of TXA(2), CAS 56985-40-1). Plasma TXB(2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α) (6-keto-PGF(1α)) were used as markers to determine the effect of I(4) on thromboxane synthesis. Fluo-3-AM was used to measure the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in rabbit platelet. Aorta rings with and without endothelium were prepared and aorta contraction was induced by U-46619. A model of type 2 diabetes mellitus was established by intraperitoneal injection of low dose of streptozocin to rats fed a high-calorie diet. Both normal rats and type 2 diabetic rats were used to assay the inhibitory effect of I(4) on platelet aggregation induced by U-46619. RESULTS: I(4) exhibited a higher inhibitory potency than Glimepiride on U-46619 induced platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo. I(4) increased the ratio of plasma PGI(2)/TXA(2) and decreased [Ca(2+)](i) release from platelet internal stores. In addition, I(4) presented a vasorelaxant activity on isolated rat aorta contraction induced by U-46619.Oral administration of I(4) (1~10mg/kg) markedly and dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation in both normal rats and type 2 diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: I(4) significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by U-46619 in vitro and in vivo, and rat aorta contraction. It probably acts by partly blocking TXA(2) action, decreasing the platelet intracellular Ca(2+), and increasing the PGI(2)/TXA(2) ratio.