Naringin against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis via the up-regulation of SIRT1.

Clinical application of doxorubicin is limited because of its potential side effects. The present study examined whether naringin had protective actions on doxorubicin-induced liver injury. Male BALB/c mice and alpha mouse liver 12 (AML-12) cells were used in this paper. The results showed that AML-12 cells treated with naringin significantly reduced cell injury, reactive oxygen species release and apoptosis level; Moreover, naringin notably alleviated liver injury by decreasing aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and malondialdehyde, and increasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase levels. Mechanism researches indicated that naringin increased the expression levels of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and inhibited the downstream inflammatory, apoptotic and oxidative stress signaling pathways. Further validation was obtained by knocking down SIRT1 in vitro, which proved the effects of naringin on doxorubicin-induced liver injury. Therefore, naringin is a valuable lead compound for preventing doxorubicin-induced liver damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis via up-regulation of SIRT1.

[Preventive and therapeutic effect of bioactive component of licorice on antidepressant-induced liver injury].

Since exploding rates of modern mental diseases, application of antidepressants has increased. Worryingly, the antidepressant-induced liver injury has gradually become a serious health burden. Furthermore, since most of the knowledge about antidepressant hepatotoxicity are from pharmacovigilance and clinical case reports and lack of observational studies, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and there is a lack of efficient treatment strategies. In this study, antidepressant paroxetine directly triggered inflammasome activation evidenced by caspase-1 activation and downstream effector cytokines interleukin(IL)-1ß secretion. The pretreatment of echinatin, a bioactive component of licorice, completely blocked the activation. This study also found that echinatin effectively inhibited the production of inflammasome-independent tumor necrosis factor α(TNF)-α induced by paroxetine. Mechanistically, the accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(mtROS) was a key upstream event of paroxetine-induced inflammasome activation, which was dramatically inhibited by echinatin. In the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-mediated idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury(IDILI) model, the combination of LPS and paroxetine triggered aberrant activation of the inflammasome to induce idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, which was reversed by echinatin pretreatment. Notably, this study also found that various bioactive components of licorice had an inhibitory effect on paroxetine-triggered inflammasome activation. Meanwhile, multiple antidepressant-induced aberrant activation of the inflammasome could be completely blocked by echinatin pretreatment. In conclusion, this study provides a novel insight for mechanism of antidepressant-induced liver injury and a new strategy for the treatment of antidepressant-induced hepatotoxicity.

4-Phenylbutyrate protects against rifampin-induced liver injury via regulating MRP2 ubiquitination through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Rifampin (RFP), a first-line anti-tuberculosis drug, often induces cholestatic liver injury and hyperbilirubinemia which limits its clinical use. Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) localizes to the hepatocyte apical membrane and plays a pivotal role in the biliary excretion of bilirubin glucuronides. RFP is discovered to reduce MRP2 expression in liver cells. 4-Phenylbutyrate (4-PBA), a drug used to treat ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (DILI), is reported to alleviate RFP-induced liver cell injury. However, the underlying mechanism still remains unclear. In the current study, we discovered that RFP induced HepG2 cell viability reduction, apoptosis and MRP2 ubiquitination degradation. Administration of 4-PBA alleviated the effect of RFP on HepG2 cell viability reduction, apoptosis and MRP2 ubiquitination degradation. In mechanism, 4-PBA suppressed RPF-caused intracellular Ca2+ disorder and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as well as the increases of Clathrin and adapter protein 2 (AP2). ER stress marker protein C/EBP homologous protein took part in the modulation of AP2 and clathrin. Besides, 4-PBA reduced the serum bilirubin level in RFP-induced cholestasis mouse model, along with raised the MRP2 expression in liver tissues. These findings indicated that 4-PBA could alleviate RFP-induced cholestatic liver injury and thereby decreased serum total bilirubin concentration via inhibiting ER stress and ubiquitination degradation of MRP2, which provides new insights into the mechanism of 4-PBA in the treatment of RFP-induced cholestasis and liver damage.

Autophagy Promotes the Survival of Adipose Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and Enhances Their Therapeutic Effects in Cisplatin-Induced Liver Injury via Modulating TGF-ß1/Smad and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways.

Autophagy is a key metabolic process where cells can recycle its proteins and organelles to regenerate its own cellular building blocks. Chemotherapy is indispensable for cancer treatment but associated with various side-effects, including organ damage. Stem cell-based therapy is a promising approach for reducing chemotherapeutic side effects, however, one of its main culprits is the poor survival of transplanted stem cells in damaged tissues. Here, we aimed to test the effects of activating autophagy in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (ADSCs) on the survival of ADSCs, and their therapeutic value in cisplatin-induced liver injury model. Autophagy was activated in ADSCs by rapamycin (50 nM/L) for two hours before transplantation and were compared to non-preconditioned ADSCs. Rapamycin preconditioning resulted in activated autophagy and improved survival of ADSCs achieved by increased autophagosomes, upregulated autophagy-specific LC3-II gene, decreased protein degradation/ubiquitination by downregulated p62 gene, downregulated mTOR gene, and finally, upregulated antiapoptotic BCL-2 gene. In addition, autophagic ADSCs transplantation in the cisplatin liver injury model, liver biochemical parameters (AST, ALT and albumin), lipid peroxidation (MDA), antioxidant profile (SOD and GPX) and histopathological picture were improved, approaching near-normal conditions. These promising autophagic ADSCs effects were achieved by modulation of components in TGF-ß1/Smad and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways, besides reducing NF-κB gene expression (marker for inflammation), reducing TGF-ß1 levels (marker for fibrosis) and increasing SDF-1 levels (liver regeneration marker) in liver. Therefore, current results highlight the importance of autophagy in augmenting the therapeutic potential of stem cell therapy in alleviating cisplatin-associated liver damage and opens the path for improved cell-based therapies, in general, and with chemotherapeutics, in particular.

AP39 ameliorates high fat diet-induced liver injury in young rats via alleviation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complication of childhood obesity and an oxidative stress-related multisystem disease. A mitochondria-targeting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor AP39 has antioxidant property, while the mechanism underlying the function of AP39 on pediatric NAFLD remains undefined. Here, 3-week-old SD rats were received a high-fat diet (HFD) feeding and injected with AP39 (0.05 or 0.1 mg/kg/day) via the tail vein for up to 7 weeks. AP39 reduced weight gain of HFD rats and improved HFD-caused liver injury, as evidenced by reduced liver index, improved liver pathological damage, decreased NAFLD activity score, as well as low alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities. AP39 also reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations but increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, AP39 prevented reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, reduced MDA content and increased glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Furthermore, AP39 increased H2S level, protected mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), reduced mitochondrial swelling, and restored mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) alteration. Notably, AP39 diminished HIF-1α mRNA and protein level, possibly indicating the alleviation in mitochondrial damage. In short, AP39 protects against HFD-induced liver injury in young rats probably through attenuating lipid accumulation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Dietary iso-α-acids prevent acetaldehyde-induced liver injury through Nrf2-mediated gene expression.

Acetaldehyde is the major toxic metabolite of alcohol (ethanol) and enhances fibrosis of the liver through hepatic stellate cells. Additionally, alcohol administration causes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce hepatocyte injury-mediated lipid peroxidation. Iso-α-acids, called isohumulones, are bitter acids in beer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of iso-α-acids against alcoholic liver injury in hepatocytes in mice. C57BL/6N mice were fed diets containing isomerized hop extract, which mainly consists of iso-α-acids. After 7 days of feeding, acetaldehyde was administered by a single intraperitoneal injection. The acetaldehyde-induced increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were suppressed by iso-α-acids intake. Hepatic gene expression analyses showed the upregulation of detoxifying enzyme genes, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). In vitro, iso-α-acids upregulated the enzymatic activities of GST and ALDH and induced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nfe2l2; Nrf2), a master regulator of antioxidant and detoxifying systems. These results suggest that iso-α-acid intake prevents acetaldehyde-induced liver injury by reducing oxidative stress via Nrf2-mediated gene expression.

Sirtuin 6 ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) occurs as a result of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. It encompasses a wide spectrum of chronic liver abnormalities that range from steatosis to alcoholic hepatitis, progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by ethanol metabolism in hepatocytes has been established as an important contributor to the pathogenesis of ALD. However, whether SIRT6 exerts regulatory effects on ethanol-induced ER stress and contributes to the pathogenesis of ALD is unclear. In this study, we developed and characterized Sirt6 hepatocyte-specific knockout and transgenic mouse models that were treated with chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding. We observed that hepatic Sirt6 deficiency led to exacerbated ethanol-induced liver injury and aggravated hepatic ER stress. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) treatment remarkably attenuated ethanol-induced ER stress and ameliorated ALD pathologies caused by Sirt6 ablation. Reciprocally, SIRT6 hepatocyte-specific transgenic mice exhibited reduced ER stress and ameliorated liver injury caused by ethanol exposure. Consistently, knockdown of Sirt6 elevated the expression of ER stress related genes in primary hepatocytes treated with ethanol, whereas overexpression of SIRT6 reduced their expression, indicating SIRT6 regulates ethanol-induced hepatic ER stress in a cell autonomous manner. Collectively, our results suggest that SIRT6 is a positive regulator of ethanol-induced ER stress in the liver and protects against ALD by relieving ER stress.

Protective effect of ISO-1 with inhibition of RIPK3 up-regulation and neutrophilic accumulation on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.

Overdose use of acetaminophen (APAP) often occurs a severe liver injury, and its liver injury is lethal in some cases. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is expressed in a variety of cells and has multifunctional roles. However, the role of MIF in APAP-induced liver injury has not been fully investigated. In this study, we investigated whether treatment with (S,R)-3-(4-hydroxyphenil)-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazole acetic acid methyl ester (ISO-1), a MIF inhibitor, protected mice from acute APAP-induced liver injury. Acute liver injury was induced by injection of APAP (300 mg/kg body weight). Mice were treated with a single injection of ISO-1(15 mg/kg body weight) 1 h (h) before APAP administration. Histological, biochemical and molecular analyses were performed in liver of mice 12 h after APAP administration. ISO-1 remarkably improved the histological findings of APAP-induced liver injury in mice. The increases in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) by APAP were inhibited by ISO-1. In addition, ISO-1 reduced the increased number of the myeloperoxidase-staining cells and that of TUNEL-positive staining cells in the liver of mice with APAP-induced liver injury. Up-regulation of hepatic receptor interacting protein kinase (RIPK)3 and heat shock protein70 by APAP was suppressed in the liver of mice given ISO-1. These results provide the additional evidence that inhibition of MIF activity may be clinically effective for treatment of acute APAP-induced liver injury.

Effect of carvedilol versus propranolol on acute and chronic liver toxicity in rats.

Non-selective ß-blockers have largely been used for prophylaxis of bleeding from gastroesophageal varices, but their hepatic effects and their influence on the development of varices has yet to be clarified. This study examined whether carvedilol would reduce acute and chronic liver injury in rats in comparison to propranolol. Experiment (1) Investigated the effects of carvedilol (1.2 mg/kg) and propranolol (4.0 mg/kg) administered daily for 7 days by gavage on paracetamol (1500 mg/kg i.p.) -induced acute liver injury in rats. Experiment (2) Investigated the effects of carvedilol (1.2 mg/kg) and propranolol (4.0 mg/kg) by gavage daily for 8 weeks on CCl4 -induced chronic liver injury in rats. Biochemical markers and histopathology of the livers were studied. Liver perfusion studies were carried out on CCl4 treated rats. Experiment (1) Carvedilol significantly improved the functional state of the liver in paracetamol-induced acute toxic hepatitis to a greater extent than propranolol. This was evidenced by a greater reduction in elevated serum levels of ALT and AST, hepatic MDA and TNF-α, attenuation of the paracetamol-induced decrease in GSH, together with improvement in the histological architecture of the liver. Experiment (2) Carvedilol was superior to propranolol against CCl4-induced hepatic injury and fibrogenesis. It suppressed hepatic inflammation, attenuated hepatic oxidative stress, and inhibited HSC activation. Carvedilol also decreased portal perfusion pressure. These results suggest that carvedilol might be a therapeutic anti-fibrogenic candidate against hepatic fibrosis, protecting the liver from acute and chronic toxic injury, in addition to lowering portal pressure.

Platelets prevent the development of monocrotaline-induced liver injury in mice.

Destruction of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) is an initial event in sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) that leads to accumulation of platelets in the liver. Herein, we explored the role of platelets during progression of experimental SOS induced by monocrotaline (MCT) in mice. Depletion of platelets using an anti-CD41 antibody or anti-thrombocyte serum exacerbated MCT-induced liver injury in C57BL/6 mice, as indicated by an increase in the alanine transaminase (ALT) level, which was associated with hemorrhagic necrosis. Thrombocytosis induced by thrombopoietin (TPO) or the TPO receptor agonist romiplostim (ROM) attenuated MCT-induced liver injury, as evidenced by lower levels of ALT and mRNA encoding matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, and higher levels of mRNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 2 and VEGFR3. The level of activated hepatic platelets was higher in TPO- and ROM-treated mice than in saline-treated mice. Co-culture with a high number of platelets increased the viability of LSECs and their mRNA levels of CD31, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3, and decreased their mRNA level of MMP9. The level of VEGF-A was increased in the culture medium of LSECs co-cultured with platelets. These results indicate that platelets attenuate MCT-induced liver injury by minimizing damage to LSECs.

Empagliflozin ameliorates ethanol-induced liver injury by modulating NF-κB/Nrf-2/PPAR-γ interplay in mice.

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol intake contributes to severe liver damage involving oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which make them promising therapeutic targets. Previous studies have demonstrated that empagliflozin (EMPA) showed cardiovascular, renal, and cerebral benefits potentially mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. AIMS: This experiment aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of EMPA on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and the possible underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum biochemical parameters and the liver contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Real-time qPCR was conducted to determine the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), and heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox-1). In addition, ELISA was performed to measure tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, Nrf-2, and PPAR-γ. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was detected by immunohistochemical staining using an anti-NF-κB p65 antibody. KEY FINDINGS: Our results revealed that the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly reduced by EMPA. EMPA also decreased the content of MDA and NO and increased the activities of SOD and GSH in liver homogenates. Moreover, EMPA inhibited the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, via the downregulation of NF-κB. These changes were associated with an improvement in histopathological deterioration. The protective effect of EMPA against oxidative stress and inflammation was associated with the upregulation of PPAR-γ, Nrf-2, and their target gene Hmox-1. SIGNIFICANCE: EMPA showed protective activities against ethanol-induced liver injury by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress via modulation of the NF-κB/Nrf-2/PPAR-γ axis.

Assessing Effects of BHV-0223 40 mg Zydis Sublingual Formulation and Riluzole 50 mg Oral Tablet on Liver Function Test Parameters Utilizing DILIsym.

For patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who take oral riluzole tablets, approximately 50% experience alanine transaminase (ALT) levels above upper limit of normal (ULN), 8% above 3× ULN, and 2% above 5× ULN. BHV-0223 is a novel 40 mg rapidly sublingually disintegrating (Zydis) formulation of riluzole, bioequivalent to conventional riluzole 50 mg oral tablets, that averts the need for swallowing tablets and mitigates first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby potentially reducing risk of liver toxicity. DILIsym is a validated multiscale computational model that supports evaluation of liver toxicity risks. DILIsym was used to compare the hepatotoxicity potential of oral riluzole tablets (50 mg BID) versus BHV-0223 (40 mg BID) by integrating clinical data and in vitro toxicity data. In a simulated population (SimPops), ALT levels > 3× ULN were predicted in 3.9% (11/285) versus 1.4% (4/285) of individuals with oral riluzole tablets and sublingual BHV-0223, respectively. This represents a relative risk reduction of 64% associated with BHV-0223 versus conventional riluzole tablets. Mechanistic investigations revealed that oxidative stress was responsible for the predicted ALT elevations. The validity of the DILIsym representation of riluzole and assumptions is supported by its ability to predict rates of ALT elevations for riluzole oral tablets comparable with that observed in clinical data. Combining a mechanistic, quantitative representation of hepatotoxicity with interindividual variability in both susceptibility and liver exposure suggests that sublingual BHV-0223 confers diminished rates of liver toxicity compared with oral tablets of riluzole, consistent with having a lower overall dose of riluzole and bypassing first-pass liver metabolism.

Aronia melanocarpa Prevents Alcohol-Induced Chronic Liver Injury via Regulation of Nrf2 Signaling in C57BL/6 Mice.

Aronia melanocarpa (AM), which is rich in anthocyanins and procyanidins, has been reported to exert antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to systematically analyze the components of AM and explore its effects on alcohol-induced chronic liver injury in mice. A component analysis of AM revealed 17 types of fatty acids, 17 types of amino acids, 8 types of minerals, and 3 types of nucleotides. Chronic alcohol-induced liver injury was established in mice via gradient alcohol feeding over a period of 6 months, with test groups orally receiving AM in the last 6 weeks. AM administration yielded potential hepatoprotective effects by alleviating weight gain and changes in organ indexes, decreasing the ratio of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase, reducing lipid peroxidation, enhancing antioxidant activities, decreasing oxidation-related factor levels, and regulating inflammatory cytokine levels. Histological analyses suggest that AM treatment markedly prevented organ damage in alcohol-exposed mice. Furthermore, AM activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) by downregulating the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, resulting in elevated downstream antioxidative enzyme levels. AM activated Nrf2 via modulation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxykinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. Altogether, AM prevented alcohol-induced liver injury, potentially by suppressing oxidative stress via the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Butyrate prevents valproate-induced liver injury: In vitro and in vivo evidence.

Sodium valproate (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, may cause dose- and time-dependent hepatotoxicity. However, its iatrogenic molecular mechanism and the rescue therapy are disregarded. Recently, it has been demonstrated that sodium butyrate (NaB) reduces hepatic steatosis, improving respiratory capacity and mitochondrial dysfunction in obese mice. Here, we investigated the protective effect of NaB in counteracting VPA-induced hepatotoxicity using in vitro and in vivo models. Human HepG2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes were exposed to high VPA concentration and treated with NaB. Mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress were evaluated, using Seahorse analyzer, spectrophotometric, and biochemical determinations. Liver protection by NaB was also evaluated in VPA-treated epileptic WAG/Rij rats, receiving NaB for 6 months. NaB prevented VPA toxicity, limiting cell oxidative and mitochondrial damage (ROS, malondialdehyde, SOD activity, mitochondrial bioenergetics), and restoring fatty acid oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α expression and carnitine palmitoyl-transferase activity) in HepG2 cells, primary hepatocytes, and isolated mitochondria. In vivo, NaB confirmed its activity normalizing hepatic biomarkers, fatty acid metabolism, and reducing inflammation and fibrosis induced by VPA. These data support the protective potential of NaB on VPA-induced liver injury, indicating it as valid therapeutic approach in counteracting this common side effect due to VPA chronic treatment.

Schizandrin B Mitigates Rifampicin-Induced Liver Injury by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Schisandra chinensis is widely used and effective in protecting liver. There are many mechanisms of drug-induced hepatocyte injury, among which endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced cell injury plays an important role. However, little is known about whether schisandra chinensis can inhibit rifampicin (RFP)-induced hepatocyte injury by affecting ER stress. In our study, firstly, L02 cells were treated with different concentrations of RFP for different time intervals, and the apoptosis, survival rate and endoplasmic reticulum stress gene and protein expressions of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP 78), PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), activating transcription factor (ATF)4, C/EBP-homologus protein (CHOP), ATF6, arginine-rich, mutated in early stage tumors (ARMET), p-inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) were measured. We found that RFP increased apoptosis of L02 cells, decreased cell survival, and increased the gene and protein expression levels of GRP78, PERK, ATF4, CHOP, ATF6, ARMET, p-IRE1 and XBP-1, suggesting that RFP could induce hepatocyte injury, and the degree of injury was positively correlated with the dose and time of RFP. Next, we treated RFP-damaged hepatocytes with schizandrin B. We found that schizandrin B increased cell survival rate in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, decreased cell apoptosis rate, and reduced protein and gene expression levels of GRP78, PERK, ATF4, CHOP, ATF6, ARMET and XBP-1. These results indicate that schizandrin B alleviates RFP-induced injury in L02 cells by inhibiting ER stress.

Protective Effect of Selenium-Enriched Red Radish Sprouts on Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury in Mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Se (Selenium) treatment on nutritional quality in radish sprouts. The results showed that 15 µM sodium selenite significantly increased phenolics compounds, flavonoids compounds, anthocyanins, and some essential amino acid content, while improving the total antioxidant capacity of radish sprouts. Besides, the Se-enriched radish sprouts significantly alleviated the liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) in mice and improved the antioxidant capacity of the liver in mice, whereas the Se-enriched radish sprouts alleviated the inflammatory reaction and apoptosis caused by CCl4 . These results imply that Se-enriched radish sprouts have a positive impact on mice with CCl4 -induced liver injury, and that in future Se-enriched radish sprouts could be developed into an effective food and health care product for the liver injury prevention. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Because selenium is an essential trace element in the human body, selenium-enriched sprouts can help eliminate free radicals in the body, relieve aging, and selenium-deficient diseases. They are easy to grow and have low costs. Hence, selenium-enriched sprouts have a great potential of being widely consumed.

Crocin ameliorates methotrexate-induced liver injury via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is used commonly in the treatment of various cancers and inflammatory diseases; nevertheless, the associated hepatotoxicity has limited its clinical application. Crocin (CRO) is described as a natural carotenoid with analgesic, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties. This study aimed to determine the effects of CRO on MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS: For pretreatment, CRO at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg (po), as well as 20 mg/kg (ip) of MTX, was injected in rats. RESULTS: MTX led to hepatotoxicity, as confirmed by the significant increase in liver markers, histopathological changes, decreased GSH content, and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity (i.e., CAT, SOD, and GPx). It increased TNF-α, IL-1ß, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide levels. Nevertheless, by increasing antioxidant defense in hepatic tissues and reducing oxidative stress and proinflammatory mediators, pretreatment with CRO could alleviate hepatotoxicity. CONCLUSION: CRO can inhibit MTX-induced hepatotoxicity through improving antioxidant defense and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

The protective effects of selenium-enriched Spirulina platensis on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of selenium-enriched Spirulina platensis (S. platensis) on chronic alcohol-induced liver injury. Selenium incubation raises the nutrition quality of S. platensis by absorption enhancement of functional elements. Our results demonstrated that the effective dose of selenium-enriched S. platensis on HL7702 cells treated with alcohol was 200 µg ml-1, containing 20% selenium. Selenium-enriched S. platensis could raise the cell survival rate by decreasing the expression of p53, Caspase3, LC3, and Caspase1 and by increasing the expression of p70s6k. In vivo experiments, where mice were pretreated with selenium-enriched S. platensis, exhibited obvious inhibition of the liver function index and this pretreatment enhanced the activity of GSH-Px and SOD in alcohol induced mice. In summary, our results indicate that the protective mechanism of selenium-enriched S. platensis on chronic alcoholic liver injury is associated with the activity enhancement of antioxidant enzymes and immunity, the inhibition of DNA damage and apoptosis, accompanied with autophagy and pyroptosis.