Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the effects of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and to further shed light on the underlying mechanisms of the actions of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction.MethodsPlasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) content was determined and liver inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated. Intrahepatocellular malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase contents were determined using commercially available kits Furthermore, α-SMA expression in liver tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry and LC3-II was detected by immunoblotting assays.ResultsMice receiving the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction by gastric lavage had significantly lower plasma ALT content and markedly higher hepatic superoxide dismutase activity than mice receiving the methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet. Furthermore, the decoction aborted MCD-induced increase in liver malondialdehyde content. Immunohistochemistry showed that the decoction suppressed hepatic α-SMA expression. Our transmission electronic microscopy revealed that the decoction markedly reduced the number of autophagosomes and immunoblotting assays showed that the decoction caused a dose-dependent decrease in LC3-II in hepatic tissues.ConclusionThe Alisma and Rhizoma decoction lessens NASH-associated liver injuries by modulating oxidative stress and autophagy in hepatocytes of mice fed with MCD.
Highlights
To investigate the effects of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and to further shed light on the underlying mechanisms of the actions of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction
The Alisma and Rhizoma decoction lessens NASH-like changes in mice We first examined the effect of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction on methionine-choline deficient (MCD)-induced NASH-like changes in mice
The current study demonstrated that the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction lessened NASH-induced liver injuries in mice, which was associated with reduced levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and inhibition of autophagy in hepatic tissues
Summary
To investigate the effects of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and to further shed light on the underlying mechanisms of the actions of the Alisma and Rhizoma decoction. The mechanisms underlying NASH liver fibrosis has not been fully elucidated and no effective treatment is available clinically. The autophagy flux increased when primary mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSC) became activated, which were suppressed by autophagy inhibitor afilomycin A1 [8]. Autophagy-stimulated loss of lipid droplets was shown to modulate HSC activation [9]. These findings together suggest that autophagy may participate in the progression of fibrosis via modulation of HSC activation
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