stilbenes and Liver-Failure--Acute

This mini-review highlights our and others' experience about in vitro and in vivo models that are being used to follow up events of liver injuries under various hepatotoxic agents and potential hepatoprotective drugs. Due to limitations of the outcomes in each model, we focus primarily on two models. First, a developed perfusion method for isolated immobilized hepatocytes that improves the process of oxygenation and helps in end-product removal is of considerable value in improving cell maintenance. This cellular model is presented as a short-term research-scale laboratory bioreactor with various physiological, biochemical, molecular, toxicological and pharmacological applications. Second, the in vivo model of D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS) combination-induced liver damage is described with some details. Recently, we have revealed that resveratrol and other natural polyphenols attenuate D-GalN/LPS-induced hepatitis. Moreover, we reported that D-GalN/LPS down-regulates sirtuin 1 in rat liver. Therefore, we discuss here the role of sirtuin 1 modulation in hepatoprotection. A successful development of pharmacotherapy for liver diseases depends on the suitability of in vitro and in vivo hepatic injury systems. Several models are available to screen the hepatotoxic or hepatoprotective activity of any substance. It is important to combine different methods for confirmation of the findings.

Topics: Animals; Biomedical Research; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Drug Discovery; Galactosamine; Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Liver Failure, Acute; Protective Agents; Resveratrol; Sirtuin 1; Stilbenes

Use of natural products is increasingly popular. In fact, many patients with liver diseases self-medicate with herbal supplements. Resveratrol (RSV), in particular, is a common natural product that can reduce injury in experimental models of liver disease. Xenobiotic hepatotoxicity is a particularly important area-of-need for therapeutics. Drug-induced liver injury, for example, is the most common cause of acute liver failure (ALF) and ALF-induced deaths in many countries. Importantly, RSV protects against hepatotoxicity in animal models in vivo caused by several drugs and chemicals and may be an effective intervention. Although many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the protection, not all are consistent with other data. Furthermore, RSV suffers from other issues, including limited bioavailability due to extensive hepatic metabolism. The purpose of this article is to summarize recent findings on the protective effects of RSV in xenobiotic-induced liver injury and other forms of liver injury and to provide a critical review of the underlying mechanisms. New mechanisms that are more consistent with data emerging from the toxicology field are suggested. Efforts to move RSV into clinical use are also considered. Overall, RSV is a promising candidate for therapeutic use, but additional studies are needed to better understand its effects.

Topics: Antioxidants; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Humans; Liver Failure, Acute; Resveratrol; Stilbenes; Xenobiotics

Stilbenes are a major grapevine class of phenolic compounds, known for their biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, but never studied in combination. We aimed to evaluate the effect of trans-resveratrol + ε-viniferin as an antioxidant mixture and its role in inflammatory development an in vivo model of severe acute liver failure induced with TAA. Trans-resveratrol + trans-ε-viniferin (5 mg/kg each) was administered to Wistar rats. Resveratrol + ε-viniferin significantly decreased TBARS and SOD activity and restored CAT and GST activities in the treated group. This stilbene combination reduced the expression of TNFα, iNOS, and COX-2, and inhibited MMP-9. The combination of resveratrol + ε-viniferin had a hepatoprotective effect, reducing DNA damage, exhibiting a protective role on the antioxidant pathway by altering SOD, CAT, and GST activities; by downregulating TNFα, COX-2, and iNOS; and upregulating IL-10. Our results suggested that adding viniferin to resveratrol may be more effective in hepatoprotection than resveratrol alone, opening a new perspective on using this stilbene combination in functional diets.

Topics: Animals; Benzofurans; Disease Models, Animal; Liver; Liver Failure, Acute; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Oxidative Stress; Protective Agents; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Resveratrol; Stilbenes

Piceatannol, a natural derivative of resveratrol, has been shown to exert similar anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as resveratrol. However, it remains unknown whether piceatannol has hepatoprotective effect against acute liver injury. In this study, we investigated the in vivo effect of piceatannol on D-GalN/LPS-induced fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), and its in vitro effect on ER stress-inducing drug thapsigargin (TG)-induced proinflammatory cytokines production and ROS release. Our results indicated that piceatannol markedly decreased the mortality rate, reduced the serum levels of alanine transaminase and aspartic aminotransferase, ameliorated the liver damage induced by D-GalN/LPS in mice. In addition, piceatannol reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, the expression of ER stress markers CHOP and phosphorylated-IRE1α, and the generation of oxidative stress in D-GalN/LPS-treated mouse liver. In vitro results were consistent with in vivo observations, demonstrating that piceatannol suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, inflammasome activation and the production of ROS induced by TG with or without LPS priming in J774A.1 macrophages. Our study proposes piceatannol as a promising medication for preventing acute liver failure and the mechanisms may be related to its inhibitory effects on ER stress, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Female; Galactosamine; Lipopolysaccharides; Liver; Liver Failure, Acute; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Stilbenes