Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wook Lee, Seung-Jin Kim
Summary: Excessive and chronic alcohol intake can lead to alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) deficiency is found in 40% of East Asian populations and is associated with increased susceptibility to liver inflammation and the development of cancers in the liver, stomach, colon, and lung. Isoflavone analogues have been shown to have beneficial effects on the progression of ALD, and computational approaches are important in understanding their therapeutic potential in liver pathophysiology.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengbo Yao, Zhenxi Zhang, Hongchao Liu, Peng Jiang, Wei Li, Wenjing Du
Summary: The tumor suppressor p53 plays a regulatory role in alcohol-induced fatty liver by repressing ethanol oxidization and inhibiting the expression of the SCD1 gene. p53 directly binds to ALDH2, preventing its active tetramer formation, and indirectly limits the production of pyruvate that promotes ALDH2 activity. The loss of p53 results in increased lipid accumulation, which can be reversed by depleting ALDH2. These findings highlight the importance of p53 in alcohol-induced fatty liver and the role of pyruvate as a natural regulator of ALDH2.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rui-fei Cheng, Meng-ke Sun, Qi-rui Hu, Zeyuan Deng, Bing Zhang, Hongyan Li
Summary: This study compared the chemical components of Hovenia acerba Lindl. peduncles extract (HAPE) and Hovenia acerba Lindl. seeds extract (HASE), and found that both extracts have hepatoprotective effects on alcoholic liver damage. HASE showed better liver protective effect than HAPE, and this effect may be related to the enhanced antioxidant activity mediated by Nrf2-induced HO-1 expression, protecting hepatocytes from injury.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jingqi Liu, Yang Song, Ye Wang, Huashan Hong
Summary: This review summarizes the roles of vitamin D in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its potential mechanisms, and reviews the effects of relevant pathways on the development of the disease.
EXPERT OPINION ON THERAPEUTIC TARGETS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tongtong Liu, Haitao Yu, Zeming Zhang, Yunfei Xie, Long Yang, Fuping You
Summary: Intestinal ELF4 plays a critical role in maintaining gut barrier and homeostasis, and is beneficial in alleviating alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ru Zhang, Minxian Wang, Min Wang, Liuxin Zhang, Yajie Ding, Zongzhe Tang, Zuqiang Fu, Haozhi Fan, Wei Zhang, Jie Wang
Summary: High serum vitamin D levels and VDR variants may decrease the risk of NAFLD in Chinese Han population. The combination of VDR SNP and exercise time could enhance the efficiency in assessing NAFLD risk.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Partha Pratim Das, Manash Jyoti Kalita, Anjan Jyoti Talukdar, Faraz Mohd Khan, Kalpajit Dutta, Simanta Kalita, Nabajyoti Goswami, Gautam Hazarika, Gourinath Samudrala, Mohammed Ghaznavi Idris, Sangit Dutta, Subhash Medhi
Summary: The variations in genes encoding enzymes of the ethanol metabolic pathway can act as risk factors for the development of liver disease. A significant variant (ALDH1L2 [c.337C > G, p.Pro113Ala, (rs199841702)]) was identified and further study is needed to determine its association with disease development.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Lihi Grinberg, Fadwa Dabbah Assadi, Gideon Baum, Romy Zemel, Ran Tur-Kaspa, Chen Shochat, David Karasik, Marcela V. V. Karpuj
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting from excessive liver fat accumulation. Vitamin D (VitD) plays multiple important roles in diverse physiological processes. This study explores the role of VitD in NAFLD pathogenesis and its potential therapeutic role in NAFLD treatment through the induction of NAFLD in zebrafish and the monitoring of VitD supplementation effects.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bingjian Wen, Chengcheng Zhang, Jingwen Zhou, Zhengyan Zhang, Qishi Che, Hua Cao, Yan Bai, Jiao Guo, Zhengquan Su
Summary: Targeted therapy is important in treating alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with inflammation playing a crucial role in both diseases. Combination therapy with inhibitors of inflammatory pathways and immune checkpoint inhibitors has shown promising results in mouse models of HCC.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Shiyun Jin, Qi Cao, Fanghan Yang, Hongying Zhu, Su Xu, Qi Chen, Ziyi Wang, Yuhong Lin, Resat Cinar, Robert J. Pawlosky, Ye Zhang, Wei Xiong, Bin Gao, George F. Koob, David M. Lovinger, Li Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrates that astrocytic ALDH2 metabolizes ethanol in the brain, affecting the behavioral effects of alcohol. It shows that astrocytic ALDH2 controls the production and behavioral effects of alcohol metabolites in different brain regions.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yejin Kim, Yoosoo Chang, Seungho Ryu, In Young Cho, Min-Jung Kwon, Won Sohn, Mi Kyung Kim, Sarah H. Wild, Christopher D. Byrne
Summary: This retrospective cohort study found that maintaining adequate serum 25(OH)D concentrations may be beneficial for both the prevention and resolution of NAFLD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Mioara Desdemona Stepan, Stefanita Bianca Vintilescu, Ioana Streata, Mihaela Andreea Podeanu, Dan Nicolae Florescu
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex chronic condition that is one of the most important issues in pediatric pathology due to the lack of screening-monitoring markers and effective standardized treatment. This study analyzed the role of vitamin D supplementation in obese children with or without NAFLD and its impact on the components of metabolic syndrome (MS). The results showed that there was a statistical association between NAFLD and MS components, which were present in both simple obesity and the 6-9 years age group. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with obesity, NAFLD, and MS components, and correcting the deficiency tended to normalize the associated parameters. Treatment based solely on the regimen led to decreases in vitamin D values and additional alterations of certain parameters. Supplementation with vitamin D enhanced the effects of the specific regimen, and its effects seemed to be dependent on the MS components.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yan Liu, Zude Chen, Yanli Wang, Madelyn Rose Hallisey, Breanna Lizeth Varela, Anne Siewko, Darcy Tocci, Changning Wang, Yulong Xu
Summary: The study investigates the efficacy of [11C]WL-1 for quantitative imaging of SIRT1 in early-stage ALD mouse models. The results show significantly decreased uptake of [11C]WL-1 in the livers of early-stage ALD mice compared to normal control mice, as well as decreased uptake in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. This study suggests that PET imaging can facilitate future clinical studies to demonstrate the roles of SIRT1 in ALD.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Esperanza Gonzalez, Mikel Azkargorta, Clara Garcia-Vallicrosa, Janire Prieto-Elordui, Felix Elortza, Sonia Blanco-Sampascual, Juan Manuel Falcon-Perez
Summary: The study indicates that urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) could potentially serve as a tool and supplier of new biomarkers for diagnosing and evaluating cirrhosis in alcoholic liver disease. Changes in uEVs concentration, size, and protein composition were observed in cirrhotic patients. Out of 1304 proteins identified, 90 were found to be altered in cirrhotic patients, suggesting the potential of uEVs as new biomarkers for cirrhosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Pei-Shan Hsieh, Ching-Wei Chen, Yi-Wei Kuo, Hsieh-Hsun Ho
Summary: The study revealed that Lactobacillus strains with high antioxidant capacity can protect mice from alcohol-induced liver injury and reduce inflammatory responses.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jianzhong Li, Youjing Yang, Shuhui Wei, Ling Chen, Lian Xue, Hailin Tian, Shasha Tao
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yuan Gui, Youjing Yang, Deyu Xu, Shasha Tao, Jianzhong Li
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wu, Yiping Ni, Qianlei Yang, Jiayuan Mao, Xuerui Zhu, Shasha Tao, Koichi Kato, Jie Zhang, Dapeng Wang, Kenzo Yamanaka, Yan An
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Correction
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jianzhong Li, Youjing Yang, Shuhui Wei, Ling Chen, Lian Xue, Hailin Tian, Shasha Tao
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Shasha Tao, Youjing Yang, Jianzhong Li, Hongyan Wang, Yu Ma
Summary: Bixin activates Nrf2 signals to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, combating hepatic steatosis and inflammatory response caused by long-term high-fat diet. Through modification of critical Keap1 cystine and competitive interaction with Keap1, bixin shows cytoprotective activity and upregulates Nrf2-mediated gene expression. In in vivo studies with HFD-fed mice, bixin attenuates lipid accumulation, decreases oxidative inflammatory damage, and reduces circulating lipid levels through Nrf2, indicating its potential therapeutic benefit in protecting against metabolic syndrome.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qi Kong, Hanyi Deng, Chunchun Li, Xiaojuan Wang, Yasuyo Shimoda, Shasha Tao, Koichi Kato, Jie Zhang, Kenzo Yamanaka, Yan An
Summary: Arsenic toxicity activates the NRF2/NQO1 signaling pathway to mediate cell transformation, accelerate cell cycle and proliferation, increase resistance to apoptosis, and promote lung carcinogenesis.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Correction
Cell Biology
Jianzhong Li, Youjing Yang, Shuhui Wei, Ling Chen, Lian Xue, Hailin Tian, Shasha Tao
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Youjing Yang, Shuhui Wei, Kaimiao Chu, Qianmin Li, Yujia Zhou, Yu Ma, Lian Xue, Hailin Tian, Shasha Tao
Summary: The study identifies the harmful effect of crystalline silica on lung tissue and the protective mechanism of vitamin D involving M2 macrophages autophagy that mitigates crystalline silica-induced lung injury.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Youjing Yang, Qianmin Li, Shuhui Wei, Kaimiao Chu, Lian Xue, Jie Liu, Yu Ma, Shasha Tao
Summary: The activation of STAT6 can protect against particle-induced lung inflammatory injury by resisting oxidative stress. This protection is achieved by promoting the nuclear translocation of VDR, which increases the transcription of autophagy-related genes and induces Nrf2 signals. Silencing VDR abolishes these effects and aggravates particle-induced cell damage.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jianzhong Li, Youjing Yang, Qianmin Li, Shuhui Wei, Yujia Zhou, Wangjianfei Yu, Lian Xue, Ling Zhou, Lei Shen, Guoyuan Lu, Ling Chen, Shasha Tao
Summary: This study reveals the mechanistic details of STAT6-mediated dysregulation of lipid metabolism in the progression of renal fibrosis, and provides a theoretical basis for improving the management of renal fibrosis caused by FAO dysregulation.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Youjing Yang, Yu Ma, Qianmin Li, Yi Ling, Yujia Zhou, Kaimiao Chu, Lian Xue, Shasha Tao
Summary: This study identified STAT6 as a critical regulator of epithelial ferroptosis during acute lung injury (ALI). STAT6 negatively regulates ferroptosis by competitively binding with CBP, inhibiting P53 acetylation and restoring SLC7A11 expression. Overexpression of STAT6 attenuated ALI-induced lung injury. STAT6 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ALI.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chenxinzi Lin, Bin Chen, Youjing Yang, Qianmin Li, Qiuguo Wang, Minmin Wang, Shiying Guo, Shasha Tao
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the association between postpartum depression (PPD) and the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed a significantly higher prevalence and odds of PPD in those who suffered from the pandemic. The study also found that China had a lower prevalence of postpartum depression compared to other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Youjing Yang, Shuhui Wei, Qianmin Li, Kaimiao Chu, Yujia Zhou, Lian Xue, Hailin Tian, Shasha Tao
Summary: This study identified that vitamin D attenuates silica particles-induced lung inflammation by regulating macrophage polarization in a KLF4-STAT6 manner, suggesting its therapeutic application in inflammatory diseases.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Shasha Tao, Youjing Yang, Yayun Fan, Kaimiao Chu, Jiaojiao Sun, Qianqian Wu, Aiqing Wang, Jianmei Wan, Hailin Tian
Summary: Nonylphenol (NP) is an endocrine disrupting chemical that can lead to pancreatic and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study demonstrates that melatonin (MT) can mitigate the effects of NP on insulinoma (INS-1) cells through the MDM2-P53-P21 and Nrf2 signaling pathways.
TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qianqian Wu, Lijun Fang, Youjing Yang, Aiqing Wang, Xiaoyu Chen, Jiaojiao Sun, Jianmei Wan, Chengjiao Hong, Jian Tong, Shasha Tao, Hailin Tian
Summary: Radon is a major pathogenic factor globally, with long-term exposure leading to lung injury and potentially cancer. This study identifies inflammatory response and cell apoptosis as manifestations of long-term radon exposure. Additionally, melatonin treatment is shown to ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress caused by radon exposure, thereby inhibiting lung tissue apoptosis.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)