Project description:Cholestatic liver diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and the leading indication for pediatric liver transplant. These include diseases such as biliary atresia, Alagille syndrome, progressive intrahepatic cholestasis entities, ductal plate abnormalities including Caroli syndrome and congenital hepatic fibrosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, bile acid synthesis defects, and certain metabolic disease. Medical management of these patients typically includes supportive care for complications of chronic cholestasis including malnutrition, pruritus, and portal hypertension. However, there are limited effective interventions to prevent progressive liver damage in these diseases, leaving clinicians to ultimately rely on liver transplantation in many cases. Agents such as ursodeoxycholic acid, bile acid sequestrants, and rifampicin have been mainstays of treatment for years with the understanding that they may decrease or alter the composition of the bile acid pool, though clinical response to these medications is frequently insufficient and their effects on disease progression remain limited. Recently, animal and human studies have identified potential new therapeutic targets which may disrupt the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, alter the expression of bile acid transporters or decrease the production of bile acids. In this article, we will review bile formation, bile acid signaling, and the relevance for current and newer therapies for pediatric cholestasis. We will also highlight further areas of potential targets for medical intervention for pediatric cholestatic liver diseases.
Project description:IntroductionCholestasis is characterized by accumulation of bile acids and inflammation, causing hepatocellular damage. Still, liver damage markers are highest in acute cholestasis and drop when this condition becomes chronic, indicating that hepatocytes adapt towards the hostile environment. This may be explained by a hormetic response in hepatocytes that limits cell death during cholestasis.AimTo investigate the mechanisms that underlie the hormetic response that protect hepatocytes against experimental cholestatic conditions.MethodsHepG2.rNtcp cells were preconditioned (24 h) with sub-apoptotic concentrations (0.1-50 μM) of various bile acids, the superoxide donor menadione, TNF-α or the Farsenoid X Receptor agonist GW4064, followed by a challenge with the apoptosis-inducing bile acid glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA; 200 μM for 4 h), menadione (50 μM, 6 h) or cytokine mixture (CM; 6 h). Levels of apoptotic and necrotic cell death, mRNA expression of the bile salt export pump (ABCB11) and bile acid sensors, as well as intracellular GCDCA levels were analyzed.ResultsPreconditioning with the pro-apoptotic bile acids GCDCA, taurocholic acid, or the protective bile acids (tauro)ursodeoxycholic acid reduced GCDCA-induced caspase-3/7 activity in HepG2.rNtcp cells. Bile acid preconditioning did not induce significant levels of necrosis in GCDCA-challenged HepG2.rNtcp cells. In contrast, preconditioning with cholic acid, menadione or TNF-α potentiated GCDCA-induced apoptosis. GCDCA preconditioning specifically reduced GCDCA-induced cell death and not CM- or menadione-induced apoptosis. The hormetic effect of GCDCA preconditioning was concentration- and time-dependent. GCDCA-, CDCA- and GW4064- preconditioning enhanced ABCB11 mRNA levels, but in contrast to the bile acids, GW4064 did not significantly reduce GCDCA-induced caspase-3/7 activity. The GCDCA challenge strongly increased intracellular levels of this bile acid, which was not lowered by GCDCA-preconditioning.ConclusionsSub-toxic concentrations of bile acids in the range that occur under normal physiological conditions protect HepG2.rNtcp cells against GCDCA-induced apoptosis, which is independent of FXR-controlled changes in bile acid transport.
Project description:Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive impairment. It is hypothesized to develop due to the dysfunction of two major proteins, amyloid-β (Aβ) and microtubule-associated protein, tau. Evidence supports the involvement of cholesterol changes in both the generation and deposition of Aβ. This study was performed to better understand the role of liver cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the pathophysiology of AD. We used male and female wild-type control (C57BL/6J) mice to compare to two well-characterized amyloidosis models of AD, APP/PS1, and AppNL-G-F. Both conjugated and unconjugated primary and secondary bile acids were quantified using UPLC-MS/MS from livers of control and AD mice. We also measured cholesterol and its metabolites and identified changes in levels of proteins associated with bile acid synthesis and signaling. We observed sex differences in liver cholesterol levels accompanied by differences in levels of synthesis intermediates and conjugated and unconjugated liver primary bile acids in both APP/PS1 and AppNL-G-F mice when compared to controls. Our data revealed fundamental deficiencies in cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis in the livers of two different AD mouse lines. These findings strengthen the involvement of liver metabolism in the pathophysiology of AD.
Project description:The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been significantly increased due to the global epidemic of obesity. The disease progression from simple steatosis (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is closely linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and dysbiosis. Although extensive efforts have been aimed at elucidating the pathological mechanisms of NAFLD disease progression, current understanding remains incomplete, and no effective therapy is available. Bile acids (BAs) are not only important physiological detergents for the absorption of lipid-soluble nutrients in the intestine but also metabolic regulators. During the last two decades, BAs have been identified as important signaling molecules involved in lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. Dysregulation of BA homeostasis has been associated with NAFLD disease severity. Identification of nuclear receptors and G-protein-coupled receptors activated by different BAs not only significantly expanded the current understanding of NAFLD/NASH disease progression but also provided the opportunity to develop potential therapeutics for NAFLD/NASH. In this review, we will summarize the recent studies with a focus on BA-mediated signaling pathways in NAFLD/NASH. Furthermore, the therapeutic implications of targeting BA-mediated signaling pathways for NAFLD will also be discussed.
Project description:Recent developments in understanding the role of bile acids (BAs) as signalling molecules in human metabolism and inflammation have opened new avenues in the field of hepatology research. BAs are no longer considered as simple molecules helping in fat digestion but as agents with real therapeutic value in treating complex autoimmune and metabolic liver diseases. BAs and their receptors such as farnesoid X receptor, transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor 5 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor have been identified as novel targets for drug development. Some of these novel pharmaceuticals are already in clinical evaluation with the most advanced drugs having reached phase III trials. Chronic liver diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, for which there is no or limited pharmacotherapy, are most likely to gain from these developments. In this review we discuss recent and the most relevant basic and clinical research findings related to BAs and their implications for novel therapy for chronic liver diseases.
Project description:Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the biliary tree. The majority of PSC patients suffer from concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which has been suggested to promote disease development and progression. However, the molecular mechanisms by which intestinal inflammation may aggravate cholestatic liver disease remain incompletely understood. Here, we employ an IBD-PSC mouse model to investigate the impact of colitis on bile acid metabolism and cholestatic liver injury. Unexpectedly, intestinal inflammation and barrier impairment improve acute cholestatic liver injury and result in reduced liver fibrosis in a chronic colitis model. This phenotype is independent of colitis-induced alterations of microbial bile acid metabolism but mediated via hepatocellular NF-κB activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which suppresses bile acid metabolism in-vitro and in-vivo. This study identifies a colitis-triggered protective circuit suppressing cholestatic liver disease and encourages multi-organ treatment strategies for PSC.
Project description:A metabolic illness known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affects more than one-quarter of the world's population. Bile acids (BAs), as detergents involved in lipid digestion, show an abnormal metabolism in patients with NAFLD. However, BAs can affect other organs as well, such as the brain, where it has a neuroprotective effect. According to a series of studies, brain disorders may be extrahepatic manifestations of NAFLD, such as depression, changes to the cerebrovascular system, and worsening cognitive ability. Consequently, we propose that NAFLD affects the development of brain disease, through the bile acid signaling pathway. Through direct or indirect channels, BAs can send messages to the brain. Some BAs may operate directly on the central Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the G protein bile acid-activated receptor 1 (GPBAR1) by overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Furthermore, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 are released from the intestine FXR and GPBAR1 receptors, upon activation, both of which send signals to the brain. Inflammatory, systemic metabolic disorders in the liver and brain are regulated by the bile acid-activated receptors FXR and GPBAR1, which are potential therapeutic targets. From a bile acid viewpoint, we examine the bile acid signaling changes in NAFLD and brain disease. We also recommend the development of dual GPBAR1/FXR ligands to reduce side effects and manage NAFLD and brain disease efficiently.
Project description:Bile acids are produced in the liver and excreted into the intestine, where their main function is to participate in lipid digestion. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) have shown antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in various models of neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms through which these bile acids act as neuroprotectors, delaying translation to the clinical setting. We review evidence supporting a potentially therapeutic role for bile acids in retinal disorders, and the mechanisms and pathways involved in the cytoprotective effects of bile acids from the liver and the enterohepatic circulation to the central nervous system and the retina. As secondary bile acids are generated by the microbiota metabolism, bile acids might be a link between neurodegenerative retinal diseases and microbiota.
Project description:BackgroundSerum bile acids (SBAs) are frequently measured in dogs. However, there is limited data comparing SBAs in different liver diseases diagnosed according to standardized histological criteria.ObjectivesTo compare resting and postprandial SBAs, and determine their sensitivity and specificity, for various liver diseases in dogs.AnimalsThree hundred and forty-one client-owned dogs with suspected liver disease that had a liver biopsy and SBAs measured.MethodsMulticenter retrospective study. Cases were classified according to standardized histological criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of resting and postprandial SBAs for the diagnosis of each liver disease, and all liver diseases combined, were calculated.ResultsThe median resting SBAs were highest in dogs with cirrhosis (98.8 μmol/L; range, 6-135) and congenital circulatory anomalies (CCa; 79.45 μmol/L; 0.3-705). The highest median postprandial concentrations were found in CCa (126 μmol/L; 0-726) and chronic hepatitis (CH; 54.3 μmol/L; 0-260). Using the cut-off value of 10 μmol/L, the highest sensitivities of resting SBAs were recorded in dogs with CCa (87.5%; 95% confidence interval, 76.8-94.4) and CH (81.1%; 71.5-88.6). The sensitivities of postprandial SBAs were the highest in cholangitis (100%; 47.8-100.0) and CCa (91.1%; 78.8-97.5). The specificities of resting and postprandial SBAs for all diseases were 49.3% (37.6-61.1) and 29.7% (15.9-47.0), respectively.Conclusions and clinical importancePostprandial SBAs are more sensitive but less specific than resting SBAs for the diagnosis of liver disease. There were dogs in all categories of liver disease with resting SBAs <10 and >90 μmol/L. Therefore, careful interpretation of both normal and elevated values is required.
Project description:BackgroundNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major liver disease worldwide. Bile acid dysregulation may be a key feature in its pathogenesis and progression.AimsTo characterise the relationship between bile acid levels and NAFLD at the population level METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Guatemala in 2016 to examine the prevalence of NAFLD. Participants (n = 415) completed questionnaires, donated blood samples and had a brief medical exam. NAFLD was determined by calculation of the fatty liver index. The levels of 15 circulating bile acids were determined by LC-MS/MS. Adjusted prevalence odds ratios (PORadj ) and 95% CI were calculated to examine the relationships between bile acid levels (in tertiles) and NAFLD.ResultsPersons with NAFLD had significantly higher levels of the conjugated primary bile acids glycocholic acid (GCA) (PORadj T3 vs T1 = 1.85), taurocholic acid (TCA) (PORadj T3 vs T1 = 2.45) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) (PORadj T3 vs T1 = 2.10), as well as significantly higher levels the unconjugated secondary bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DCA) (PORadj T3 vs T1 = 1.78) and its conjugated form, taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) (PORadj T3 vs T1 = 1.81).ConclusionsThe bile acid levels of persons with and without NAFLD differed significantly. Among persons with NAFLD, higher levels of the conjugated forms of CA (i.e. GCA, TCA) and the secondary bile acids that derive from CA (i.e. DCA, TDCA) may indicate there is hepatic overproduction of CA, which may affect the liver via aberrant signalling mediated by the bile acids.