Effects of salvianolic acid B on liver mitochondria of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

AIM: To investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on the morphological characteristics and functions of liver mitochondria of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) a normal group fed a normal diet; (2) an NASH model group; and (3) a Sal B-treated group fed a high-fat diet. Two rats from each group were executed at the end of the 12th week to detect pathological changes. The rats in the Sal B-treated group were gavaged with 20 mL/kg Sal B (1 mg/mL) daily. The model group received an equal volume of distilled water as a control. At the end of the 24th weekend, the remaining rats were executed. Serum biochemical parameters and liver histological characteristics were observed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver were determined. Protein expression of CytC and caspase-3 was determined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA transcripts of mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) and NF-κB in the liver tissue were detected by real-time PCR. Mitochondrial membrane potential was detected using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Mitochondrial respiratory function was detected using a Clark oxygen electrode. RESULTS: The model group showed significantly higher ALT, AST, TG, TC and MDA but significantly lower SOD than the normal group. In the model group, the histological characteristics of inflammation and steatosis were also evident; mitochondrial swelling and crest were shortened or even disappeared. CytC (18.46 ± 1.21 vs 60.01 ± 3.43, P < 0.01) and caspase-3 protein expression (30.26 ± 2.56 vs 83.31 ± 5.12, P < 0.01) increased significantly. The mRNA expression of NF-κB increased (0.81 ± 0.02 vs 0.91 ± 0.03, P < 0.05), whereas the mRNA expression of Mfn2 decreased (1.65 ± 0.31 vs 0.83 ± 0.16, P < 0.05). Mitochondrial membrane potential also decreased and breathing of rats was weakened. Steatosis and inflammation degrees in the treatment group were significantly alleviated compared with those of the model group. In the treatment group, mitochondrial swelling was alleviated. CytC (60.01 ± 3.43 vs 30.52 ± 2.01, P < 0.01) and caspase-3 protein expression (83.31 ± 5.12 vs 40.15 ± 3.26, P < 0.01) significantly decreased. The mRNA expression of NF-κB also decreased (0.91 ± 0.03 vs 0.74 ± 0.02, P < 0.01), whereas the mRNA expression of Mfn2 increased (0.83 ± 0.16 vs 1.35 ± 0.23, P < 0.01). Mitochondrial membrane potential increased and respiratory function was enhanced. CONCLUSION: Sal B can treat NASH by protecting the morphological characteristics and functions of liver mitochondria, regulating lipid metabolism, controlling oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and inhibiting apoptosis.

Protective effect of salvianolic acid B on NASH rat liver through restoring intestinal mucosal barrier function.

AIM: To investigate the effect of Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on the disease progress of NASH and change of intestinal barrier function. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and treated group, with the former given normal diet and the latter 2 groups rats fed high-fat diet. In treated group, rats were infused through the stomach with 1 mg/ml Sal B every day at a dose of 20 mL/kg body weight. All animals were killed at the 24th week and plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), endotoxin (ET) and diamine oxdase (DAO) were analyzed using the blood samples. The histopathology of liver was observed by H&E staining. The expression changes of tight junction protein occludin and ZO-1 were analyzed by immunocytochemistry. Ultrastructural morphology of small intestinal tissues was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Plasma levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC, ET and DAO were significantly higher in model group than those in both control group and group treated with Sal B. In model group, vacuolated swelling of the cytoplasm with aggregates of chronic inflammatory cells was observed in the liver tissue but not in Sal B-treated group. NAFLD Activity Score in the treated group was significantly lower than that in model group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that Sal B administration recovered the expression of occludin and ZO-1, which was downregulated in the model group. Transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that cell surface microvilli and major intercellular junctional complex including tight junction, gap junction and adherens junction were restored in Sal B-treated group. CONCLUSION: Sal B exerted protective function against high-fat diet-induced liver damage by restoring healthy barrier function of intestine in NASH rat model.

Effects and mechanism of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line Bel-7402.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects and mechanism of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line Bel-7402. METHODS: SAHA treatment and control groups were designed in this study. To observe the morphological characteristics and the inhibition of cell proliferation, we conducted confocal microscopy and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, respectively. Changes in cell apoptosis and cell cycle were then determined by flow cytometry. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was also conducted to detect the mRNA expressions of p53, bcl-2 and bax genes. Caspase-3 protein activity was determined by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Cell proliferation in the SAHA treatment group could be inhibited in a time- and dose-dependent manner. FCM analysis showed that the early apoptosis rate in the SAHA treatment group increased significantly. Furthermore, cell cycle was arrested at the S phase. RT-PCR assay confirmed that SAHA could upregulate the mRNA expressions of p53 and bax genes. By comparison, SAHA could downregulate the mRNA expression of bcl-2. SAHA induced apoptosis by activating the caspase-3 pathway. CONCLUSION: SAHA inhibited cell proliferation and promoted human hepatoma Bel-7402 cell apoptosis by affecting caspase-3 protein activity and mRNA expressions of p53, bcl-2 and bax genes.

Effects of SAHA on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and hepatitis B virus replication.

AIM: To investigate the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) on proliferation and apoptosis of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2.2.15) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. METHODS: HepG2.2.15 cells were treated with different concentrations of SAHA. Cell morphology was examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and cell proliferation was determined using a MTT colorimetric assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and determine cell cycle phase, while hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen content were measured using chemiluminescence. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure HBV DNA in cell lysate. RESULTS: Cell proliferation rates were significantly reduced by the addition of SAHA. The inhibitory effect of SAHA on cell proliferation was both time- and dose-dependent. After 24 h of treatment with SAHA, the early cell apoptotic rate increased from 3.25% to 21.02% (P = 0.041). The proportion of G0/G1 phase cells increased from 50.3% to 65.3% (P = 0.039), while that of S phase cells decreased from 34.9% to 20.6% (P = 0.049). After 48 h of treatment, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen content increased from 12.33 ± 0.62 to 25.42 ± 2.67 (P = 0.020) and 28.92 ± 1.24 to 50.48 ± 1.85 (P = 0.026), respectively. Furthermore, HBV DNA content increased from 4.54 ± 0.46 to 8.34 ± 0.59 (P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: SAHA inhibits HepG2.2.15 cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis, and stimulates HBV replication. In combination with anti-HBV drugs, SAHA may potentially be used cautiously for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.