Article
Immunology
Tingting Yang, Lin Li, Jiale Pang, Cai Heng, Chujing Wei, Xue Wang, Ziyin Xia, Xin Huang, Luyong Zhang, Zhenzhou Jiang
Summary: This study demonstrates that activating intestinal S1PR1 can improve cholestatic hepatitis by modulating intestinal barrier function. The results reveal the importance of intestinal tight junctions and the regulatory role of agonist SEW2871 in the gut-liver axis.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hirofumi Hirao, Hidenobu Kojima, Kenneth J. Dery, Kojiro Nakamura, Kentaro Kadono, Yuan Zhai, Douglas G. Farmer, Fady M. Kaldas, Jerzy W. Kupiec-Weglinski
Summary: Neutrophils, the largest innate immune cell population in humans, play a crucial role in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) mechanism in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1, CC1, or CD66a) serves as a regulator of innate immune-driven IRI cascade in OLT. This study investigates the significance of neutrophil CC1 signaling in mouse and human OLT recipients through molecular and functional studies.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Cynthia L. Hsu, Bernd Schnabl
Summary: The trillions of microorganisms in the human intestine play a crucial role in maintaining health, and disruptions in the gut microbial communities can lead to diseases. The gut microbiota has a symbiotic relationship with the gut, liver, and immune system. Environmental factors such as high-fat diets and alcohol consumption can disrupt and alter the microbial communities, resulting in dysfunction of the intestinal barrier, translocation of microbial components to the liver, and the development or progression of liver disease.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ting Hong, Xin Jiang, Jun Zou, Jie Yang, Hongmin Zhang, Haiyan Mai, Wenhua Ling, Dan Feng
Summary: Chronic exposure to low-dose bisphenol A (BPA) is a global public health concern that may result in gut microbial dysbiosis and hepatic steatosis. Curcumin, extracted from turmeric, has been found to alleviate BPA-induced hepatic steatosis by improving the intestinal flora and modulating the gut-liver axis.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Yuan Zhang, Jason D. Kang, Derrick Zhao, Siddartha S. Ghosh, Yanyan Wang, Yunling Tai, Javier Gonzalez-Maeso, Masoumeh Sikaroodi, Patrick M. Gillevet, H. Robert Lippman, Phillip B. Hylemon, Huiping Zhou, Jasmohan S. Bajaj
Summary: Hepatic vagal innervation plays a role in modulating the gut microbiome, hepatic inflammation and steatosis, as well as cortical inflammation and BDNF expression in murine cirrhosis.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lihua Xiao, Hua Xiong, Zeyuan Deng, Xin Peng, Kejun Cheng, Hua Zhang, Li Jiang, Yong Sun
Summary: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum leaf extracts can improve nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by regulating the gut-liver axis, reducing oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, and inflammation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongxia Liu, Fumika Yokoyama, Satoshi Ishizuka
Summary: High-fat diet intake can selectively increase the levels of 12 alpha-Hydroxylated bile acids (BAs). Supplementing rats with cholic acid (CA) is a possible strategy to investigate the causal link between 12 alpha OH BAs and hepatic steatosis. The metabolic mechanism underlying the effect of 12 alpha OH BAs on hepatic steatosis was investigated using untargeted metabolomics. The study found that alterations in metabolites induced by 12 alpha OH BAs in the gut-liver axis contribute to the enhancement of liver lipid accumulation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY OF LIPIDS
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Rosa Martin-Mateos, Agustin Albillos
Summary: The intricate relationship between gut microbiota, intestinal barrier, immune system, and liver is essential for the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders like fatty liver disease. Diet is a key modulator of microbiota composition, affecting gut barrier stability and immune responses, leading to inflammation and liver dysfunction. Therapeutic strategies targeting the gut-liver-axis are being explored for potential treatments, and distinctive microbial signatures in the gut may provide non-invasive diagnostic tools for disease monitoring and severity assessment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Guoyuan Sui, Lianqun Jia, Dongmei Quan, Na Zhao, Guanlin Yang
Summary: In this study, the gut-liver signaling contribution to non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis (NHS) development in nondiabetic adults was investigated using microbiota analysis and metabolomics. The results suggest that altered gut microbiota composition, specifically enhanced kynurenine production, plays a key role in NHS development in nondiabetic adults, highlighting the potential of tryptophan metabolites as diagnostic biomarkers.
Review
Immunology
Huayu Guan, Xiang Zhang, Ming Kuang, Jun Yu
Summary: The gut-liver axis plays a crucial role in host-microbiota communications and immune homeostasis. In diseases such as hepatic cirrhosis, gut dysbiosis and impaired intestinal barrier lead to immune alterations in the liver and other organs. This review discusses the immune changes in the gut-liver axis and how microbiota-derived immune remodeling contributes to the progression of hepatic cirrhosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xin Ran, Guiqiu Hu, Fuding He, Kefei Li, Feng Li, Dianwen Xu, Juxiong Liu, Shoupeng Fu
Summary: This study found that phytic acid can inhibit obesity and improve liver steatosis. It can improve HFD-induced liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. In addition, phytic acid can improve colonic inflammation, gut barrier damage, and systemic inflammation, and have a positive effect on the diversity and composition of gut microbiota.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ruixue Ren, Yong He, Dong Ding, Aoyuan Cui, Huarui Bao, Jing Ma, Xin Hou, Yu Li, Dechun Feng, Xiaoling Li, Suthat Liangpunsakul, Bin Gao, Hua Wang
Summary: Aging exacerbates alcohol-induced liver injury through down-regulation of the neutrophilic SIRT1-C/EBP alpha-miR-223 axis, which is also observed in chronic alcohol users with acute intoxication. This axis could be a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of ALD.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaikai Zhang, Jianzheng Yang, Lijian Chen, Jietao He, Dong Qu, Zheng Zhang, Yi Liu, Xiuwen Li, Jiali Liu, Jiahao Li, Xiaoli Xie, Qi Wang
Summary: Dietary pollution by polystyrene microplastics (MPs) can cause hepatic injuries and microbial dysbiosis. EGCG, the major polyphenol in green tea, has a protective effect on liver by modulating the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms underlying MPs-induced hepatic injuries and the protective effect of EGCG are still not fully understood.
Article
Immunology
Zhaoyao Qi, Xinxin Qi, Yuanhui Xu, Hongguang Sun, Dengfeng Li, Jincun Liu, Meili Cong, Tao Liu
Summary: This study found that the bovine serum albumin-induced liver fibrosis model has similar developmental mechanisms as human liver fibrosis, providing a new experimental model for studying liver fibrosis. The results also suggest that gut microbiota-induced amino acid metabolism disorders may play an important role in the progression of immunological hepatic fibrosis.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Taojian Tu, Mario M. Alba, Aditi A. Datta, Handan Hong, Brittney Hua, Yunyi Jia, Jared Khan, Phillip Nguyen, Xiatoeng Niu, Pranav Pammidimukkala, Ielyzaveta Slarve, Qi Tang, Chenxi Xu, Yiren Zhou, Bangyan L. Stiles
Summary: Obesity is independently associated with an increased risk of carcinogenesis, particularly liver cancer. Liver lipid dysfunction and inflammation, as well as the involvement of liver macrophages, play crucial roles in driving the progression of liver cancer. Specific inflammatory mediators and molecular signals related to lipid metabolism are also involved in the activation and reprogramming of liver macrophages, contributing to the development of liver cancer.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Shuni Duan, Xiaojiaoyang Li, Guifang Fan, Runping Liu
Summary: Liver diseases and related complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective treatments are limited, highlighting the need for novel therapies. Bile acids (BAs) play important roles in regulating energy and immune homeostasis in various liver diseases, making them attractive therapeutic targets. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the enterohepatic circulation of BAs, potential targets of BAs signaling, and the development of treatments. The protective effects, molecular mechanisms, and outcomes of clinical trials are discussed, along with future perspectives for the development of these candidates. In conclusion, pharmacological therapies targeting BAs signaling hold promise for the treatment of complex liver disorders.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jiena Wang, Weiwei Zhu, Junxue Tu, Yihui Zheng
Summary: This study identified hub genes and potential miRNA targets associated with cholangiocarcinoma progression, providing new potential therapeutic targets for the treatment and prognosis of the disease. Additionally, a potential chemotherapeutic drug was screened and found to have anti-tumor activity in cholangiocarcinoma cells by targeting the cell cycle.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Weiwei Zhu, Minxiu Wang, Leiming Jin, Bin Yang, Bin Bai, Rumbidzai Natasha Mutsinze, Wei Zuo, Nipon Chattipakorn, Joo Young Huh, Guang Liang, Yi Wang
Summary: This study discovered a natural compound, licochalcone A, with anti-inflammatory activity. It was found to directly bind to the protein MD2, which regulates the LPS inflammatory signaling pathway, and blocked both TRIF- and MYD88-dependent pathways. In vivo experiments showed that licochalcone A treatment alleviated acute lung injury (ALI) in mice by reducing immunocyte infiltration and suppressing TLR4 pathway activation and inflammatory cytokine production.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lingxi Zhang, Chenghong Hu, Bo Jin, Bin Bai, Jing Liao, Leiming Jin, Minxiu Wang, Weiwei Zhu, Xuedan Wu, Li Zheng, Xuelian Xu, Yongsheng Jiang, Yi Wang, Ying He
Summary: Bicyclol, a traditional Chinese medicine, shows promising therapeutic effects in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress through the MAPK and NF-kappa B pathways.
CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Leiming Jin, Minxiu Wang, Bin Yang, Lin Ye, Weiwei Zhu, Qianhui Zhang, Shuaijie Lou, Yi Zhang, Wu Luo, Guang Liang
Summary: A novel JNK inhibitor, JM-2, was found to have therapeutic effects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In vitro, JM-2 suppressed JNK activation, inflammation, and cell apoptosis. In vivo, JM-2 protected mice from HFD-induced inflammation, lipid accumulation, fibrosis, and apoptosis.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Weiwei Zhu, Wu Luo, Jibo Han, Qiuyan Zhang, Lijun Ji, Aleksandr V. Samorodov, Valentin N. Pavlov, Zaishou Zhuang, Daona Yang, Lina Yin, Lijiang Huang, Guang Liang, Joo Young Huh, Yi Wang
Summary: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Schisandrin B (Sch B) in macrophages and an animal model of acute lung injury (ALI) and found that Sch B directly binds to MyD88 to regulate inflammatory responses and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors. The study suggests that Sch B has therapeutic potential for ALI and other MyD88-dependent inflammatory diseases.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Fei Zhou, Xiaojiaoyang Li, Xiaoyong Xue, Shuo Li, Guifang Fan, Yajie Cai, Zihao Chang, Jiaorong Qu, Runping Liu
Summary: Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, but the low response rate remains a challenge, especially in cold tumors. A study introduces a tri-functional liposomal system, DOX-SAR-JY4(LIPO), which combines doxorubicin, a VPS34 inhibitor, and an anti-PD-L1 peptide for targeted delivery. This system effectively increases immune cell infiltration in lung cancer xenografts, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis by reshaping the tumor microenvironment. The study demonstrates the potential of inhibiting autophagy and presents a promising approach to enhance cancer immunotherapy.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi-jie Li, Rui-yu Wu, Run-ping Liu, Kai-yi Wu, Ming-ning Ding, Rong Sun, Yi-qing Gu, Fei Zhou, Jian-zhi Wu, Qi Zheng, Shu-ni Duan, Rong-rong Li, Yin-hao Zhang, Fang-hong Li, Xiaojiaoyang Li
Summary: Obesity is associated with various chronic diseases and reduced life expectancy. Aurantio-obtusin (AO), a bioactive compound found in Chinese traditional medicine, can stimulate the growth and activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to increase energy expenditure and limit weight gain. AO achieves this by enhancing mitochondrial metabolism and UCP1 expression through the activation of PPARa.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Qi Zheng, Xiaojiaoyang Li, Nana Huang, Fanghong Li, Junde Ge, Daijie Wang, Rong Sun, Runping Liu
Summary: This study demonstrated that Saikosaponins (SSs) from traditional Chinese medicine have therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia by reducing the levels of cholesterol and triglyceride, improving the imbalance of lipid metabolism, and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yajie Cai, Xiaojiaoyang Li, Qi Han, Jinzhao Bai, Qi Zheng, Rong Sun, Runping Liu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Si-Ni-San (SNS) on acute murine colitis and the underlying mechanisms involving gut microbiota. The results demonstrated that SNS significantly inhibited acute inflammatory responses induced by DSS through improving gut microbiota dysbiosis, and specifically favoring the growth of beneficial bacteria Akkermansia genus, thus providing a potential therapeutic strategy against colitis.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kexin Jia, Yijie Li, Tiegang Liu, Xiaohong Gu, Xiaojiaoyang Li
Summary: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a highly pathogenic and infectious pandemic with no specific drug treatment available. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas, has been proven effective in alleviating COVID-19 symptoms. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the pathogenesis, clinical practice, active ingredients investigation, network pharmacology prediction, and mechanism verification of these TCM treatments, offering guidance for the development of new drugs against COVID-19.
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mingning Ding, Fei Zhou, Yijie Li, Chuanyang Liu, Yiqing Gu, Jianzhi Wu, Guifang Fan, Yajing Li, Xiaojiaoyang Li
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the anti-steatosis effect and underlying mechanism of Cassiae Semen (CS) against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Five compounds were identified in CS extract. The results showed that CS improved diet-induced hepatic steatosis and attenuated lipid accumulation in hepatocytes, which might be attributed to the inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and the activation of autophagy-related signaling. CS could be a promising therapeutic strategy for relieving NAFLD.
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiao-jiao-yang Li, Fei Zhou, Ya-jing Li, Xiao-yong Xue, Jiao-rong Qu, Gui-fang Fan, Jia Liu, Rong Sun, Jian-zhi Wu, Qi Zheng, Run-ping Liu
Summary: Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing process characterized by excess formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) from activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Previous studies show that EZH2 and long non-coding RNA H19 are highly correlated with fibrogenesis. In the current study, the mechanisms underlying this correlation were investigated, and it was found that EZH2 was upregulated and correlated with H19 and fibrotic markers expression in liver fibrosis models. The administration of EZH2 inhibitor 3-DZNeP showed protective effects in these models.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yijie Li, Ranyun Chen, Jianzhi Wu, Xiaoyong Xue, Tiegang Liu, Guiying Peng, Ruiyu Wu, Lei Wang, Kexin Jia, Yajie Cai, Xiaojiaoyang Li
Summary: This study found that salvianolic acid B can significantly alleviate pulmonary fibrosis and cellular senescence, and halt lung cell senescence. The results showed that salvianolic acid B inhibits the release of senescence-associated secretory phenotype from lung macrophages and alveolar type II epithelial cells, thereby reducing lung fibroblast activation.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kexin Jia, Jianzhi Wu, Yijie Li, Jia Liu, Runping Liu, Yajie Cai, Yinhao Zhang, Xiaojiaoyang Li
Summary: This study successfully established a mouse model of AE-IPF that recapitulated the clinical features and pathological changes observed in AE-IPF patients, providing an appropriate experimental platform for investigating the underlying mechanisms of liver injury in AE-IPF.
ANIMAL MODELS AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)