bims-liverm 2022-12-25 papers

bims-liverm

Biomed News

on Liver Metabolism

Issue of 2022‒12‒25
eight papers selected by
Marti Cadena Sandoval
Columbia University

Role of bile acids in overweight and obese children and adolescents.
The bile acid TUDCA reduces age-related hyperinsulinemia in mice.
Features of Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.
Ileal Bile Acid Transporter Blockers for Cholestatic Liver Disease in Pediatric Patients with Alagille Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Islet cilia and glucose homeostasis.
Gastrodia elata Blume extract improves high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes by regulating gut microbiota and bile acid profile.
Impact of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Gut Bacterial Bile Acid Metabolism in Humans.
Impact of Liver Inflammation on Bile Acid Side Chain Shortening and Amidation.

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 ;13 1011994

Role of bile acids in overweight and obese children and adolescents.

Cosimo Giannini, Concetta Mastromauro, Serena Scapaticci, Cristina Gentile, Francesco Chiarelli.

  Bile acids (BAs) are amphipathic molecules synthetized in the liver. They are primarily involved in the digestion of nutrients. Apart from their role in dietary lipid absorption, BAs have progressively emerged as key regulators of systemic metabolism and inflammation. In the last decade, it became evident that BAs are particularly important for the regulation of glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism. Indeed, the interest in role of BA in metabolism homeostasis is further increased due to the global public health increase in obesity and related complications and a large number of research postulating that there is a close mutual relationship between BA and metabolic disorders. This strong relationship seems to derive from the role of BAs as signaling molecules involved in the regulation of a wide spectrum of metabolic pathways. These actions are mediated by different receptors, particularly nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and Takeda G protein coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), which are probably the major effectors of BA actions. These receptors activate transcriptional networks and signaling cascades controlling the expression and activity of genes involved in BA, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, energy expenditure, and inflammation. The large correlation between BAs and metabolic disorders offers the possibility that modulation of BAs could be used as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases, including obesity itself. The aim of this review is to describe the main physiological and metabolic actions of BA, focusing on its signaling pathways, which are important in the regulation of metabolism and might provide new BA -based treatments for metabolic diseases.

Keywords:  bile acids; childhood obesity; gut microbiota; metabolism; overweight children

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1011994
Sci Rep. 2022 Dec 23. 12(1): 22273

The bile acid TUDCA reduces age-related hyperinsulinemia in mice.

Lucas Zangerolamo, Marina Carvalho, Leticia Barssotti, Gabriela M Soares, Carine Marmentini, Antonio C Boschero, Helena Cristina L Barbosa.

Aging is associated with glucose metabolism disturbances, such as insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which contribute to the increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications in the elderly population. In this sense, some bile acids have emerged as new therapeutic targets to treat TD2, as well as associated metabolic disorders. The taurine conjugated bile acid, tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) improves glucose homeostasis in T2D, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease mice model. However, its effects in aged mice have not been explored yet. Here, we evaluated the actions of TUDCA upon glucose-insulin homeostasis in aged C57BL/6 male mice (18-month-old) treated with 300 mg/kg of TUDCA or its vehicle. TUDCA attenuated hyperinsulinemia and improved glucose homeostasis in aged mice, by enhancing liver insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) expression and insulin clearance. Furthermore, the improvement in glucose-insulin homeostasis in these mice was accompanied by a reduction in adiposity, associated with adipocyte hypertrophy, and lipids accumulation in the liver. TUDCA-treated aged mice also displayed increased energy expenditure and metabolic flexibility, as well as a better cognitive ability. Taken together, our data highlight TUDCA as an interesting target for the attenuation of age-related hyperinsulinemia and its deleterious effects on metabolism.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26915-3
Biomedicines. 2022 Nov 25. pii: 3046. [Epub ahead of print]10(12):

Features of Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Vasiliy I Reshetnyak, Igor V Maev.

  Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), previously known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is an autoimmune liver disease that mostly affects women. A progressive disorder in the processes of bile secretion and enterohepatic bile salts circulation in patients with PBC already in its early stages, leading to an insufficient release of bile acids into the bowel and their entry into the systemic circulation. Insufficient bile acids released into the duodenum contributes to the development of malabsorption, energy malnutrition, and slowly progressive weight loss. The pathophysiological mechanisms of weight loss and its slow progression are associated with the deterioration of the fat emulsification processes and with the reduced absorption of hydrolyzed products, such as fatty acids and monoglycerides, with steatorrhea in patients with PBC, as well as in those with gut dysbiosis. Just in the early stages of the disease, this results in accelerated fatty acid β-oxidation that is aimed at compensating for progressive energy malnutrition. The entry of bile acids into the systemic circulation in PBC is accompanied by dyslipidemia. The mechanism of hyperlipidemia in patients with PBC differs from that in other conditions because along with an increase in total cholesterol (TC), there are elevated high-density lipoprotein levels and the appearance of unusual lipoprotein X (Lp-X). The appearance of Lp-X is most likely to be the body's protective reaction to inactivate the detergent effect of bile acids on the membrane structures of blood corpuscles and vascular endothelial cells. It is bile acids, rather than TC levels, that correlate with the content of Lp-X and determine its formation. Concomitant hypercholesterolemia in patients with PBC is also aimed at neutralizing the detergent effect of bile acids that have entered the systemic circulation and is most likely a compensatory reaction of the body. "Anomalous" hypercholesterolemia in PBC can serve as a model system for the search and development of new methods for the treatment of dyslipidemia since it occurs without an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular events.

Keywords:  dietary lipid metabolism disorders in PBC; hypercholesterolemia; mechanism of dyslipidemia in PBC; primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10123046
J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 19. pii: 7526. [Epub ahead of print]11(24):

Ileal Bile Acid Transporter Blockers for Cholestatic Liver Disease in Pediatric Patients with Alagille Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hafiza Sidra Tul Muntaha, Mubashar Munir, Syeda Haleema Sajid, Zouina Sarfraz, Azza Sarfraz, Karla Robles-Velasco, Muzna Sarfraz, Miguel Felix, Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda.

  Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a rare, debilitating inheritable disease that is associated with refractory pruritus due to chronic cholestasis. The following systemic review and meta-analysis presents the latest evidence for ileal bile acid transport (IBAT) blockers in AGLS patients in order to improve their efficacy. This study adhered to PRISMA 2020 Statement guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane library was conducted from inception until 23 October 2022. A combination of the following keywords was used: Alagille syndrome, therapeutics, treatment, therapy. Meta-analytical outcomes included effect directions of end-line changes in serum bile acids (sBAs), Itch Scale scores (ItchRO), Multidimensional Fatigue Scale scores, pediatric quality of life (QL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin. A total of 94 patients across four trials were enrolled and received maralixibat, odevixibat, or a placebo. There was a significant reduction in ItchRO scores by 1.8 points, as well as in sBAs by 75.8 μmol/L. Both the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Pediatric QL scale were also improved by 11.4 and 8.3 points, respectively. However, ALT levels were raised by 40 U/L. The efficacy of IBAT inhibitors across current trials was noted. Future trials may focus on the optimization of dosing regimens, considering gastrointestinal side effects and drug-induced ALT elevation in AGLS patients.

Keywords:  Alagille syndrome; chronic cholestasis; maralixibat; odevixibat; refractory pruritus; serum bile acids

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11247526
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022 ;10 1082193

Islet cilia and glucose homeostasis.

Isabella Melena, Jing W Hughes.

  Diabetes is a growing pandemic affecting over ten percent of the U.S. population. Individuals with all types of diabetes exhibit glucose dysregulation due to altered function and coordination of pancreatic islets. Within the critical intercellular space in pancreatic islets, the primary cilium emerges as an important physical structure mediating cell-cell crosstalk and signal transduction. Many events leading to hormone secretion, including GPCR and second-messenger signaling, are spatiotemporally regulated at the level of the cilium. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of cilia action in islet hormone regulation and glucose homeostasis, focusing on newly implicated ciliary pathways that regulate insulin exocytosis and intercellular communication. We present evidence of key signaling proteins on islet cilia and discuss ways in which cilia might functionally connect islet endocrine cells with the non-endocrine compartments. These discussions aim to stimulate conversations regarding the extent of cilia-controlled glucose homeostasis in health and in metabolic diseases.

Keywords:  beta cells; glucose regulation; pancreatic islets; paracrine signaling; primary cilia

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.1082193
Front Microbiol. 2022 ;13 1091712

Gastrodia elata Blume extract improves high-fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes by regulating gut microbiota and bile acid profile.

Danqi Wang, Jun-Xia Wang, Chunri Yan, Yize Liu, Hongye Liu, Dongxu Li, Jun Zhu, Zhao-Bo Luo, Sheng-Zhong Han, Zheng-Yun Jin, Shuang-Yan Chang, Liu-Hui Yang, Jin-Dan Kang, Lin-Hu Quan.

  In this study, we aimed to characterize the anti-type 2 diabetes (T2D) effects of Gastrodia elata Blume extract (GEBE) and determine whether these are mediated through modification of the gut microbiota and bile acids. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), with or without GEBE, and we found that GEBE significantly ameliorated the HFD-induced hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation by upregulating glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and inhibiting the toll-like receptor 4-nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway in white adipose tissue (WAT). In addition, we found that GEBE increased the abundance of Faecalibaculum and Lactobacillus, and altered the serum bile acid concentrations, with a significant increase in deoxycholic acid. The administration of combined antibiotics to mice to eliminate their intestinal microbiota caused a loss of the protective effects of GEBE. Taken together, these findings suggest that GEBE ameliorates T2D by increasing GLUT4 expression in WAT, remodeling the gut microbiota, and modifying serum bile acid concentrations.

Keywords:  Gastrodia elata Blume; bile acid; gut microbiota; insulin resistance; type 2 diabetes

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1091712
Nutrients. 2022 Dec 07. pii: 5200. [Epub ahead of print]14(24):

Impact of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation on Gut Bacterial Bile Acid Metabolism in Humans.

Jessica-Miranda Bustamante, Tyson Dawson, Caitlin Loeffler, Zara Marfori, Julian R Marchesi, Benjamin H Mullish, Christopher C Thompson, Keith A Crandall, Ali Rahnavard, Jessica R Allegretti, Bethany P Cummings.

  Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising therapeutic modality for the treatment and prevention of metabolic disease. We previously conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial of FMT in obese metabolically healthy patients in which we found that FMT enhanced gut bacterial bile acid metabolism and delayed the development of impaired glucose tolerance relative to the placebo control group. Therefore, we conducted a secondary analysis of fecal samples collected from these patients to assess the potential gut microbial species contributing to the effect of FMT to improve metabolic health and increase gut bacterial bile acid metabolism. Fecal samples collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of FMT or placebo treatment underwent shotgun metagenomic analysis. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to profile fecal bile acids. FMT-enriched bacteria that have been implicated in gut bile acid metabolism included Desulfovibrio fairfieldensis and Clostridium hylemonae. To identify candidate bacteria involved in gut microbial bile acid metabolism, we assessed correlations between bacterial species abundance and bile acid profile, with a focus on bile acid products of gut bacterial metabolism. Bacteroides ovatus and Phocaeicola dorei were positively correlated with unconjugated bile acids. Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Collinsella aerofaciens, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were positively correlated with secondary bile acids. Together, these data identify several candidate bacteria that may contribute to the metabolic benefits of FMT and gut bacterial bile acid metabolism that requires further functional validation.

Keywords:  bile acids; bile salt hydrolase (BSH); fecal microbiome transplant (FMT); gut microbiota; metagenomics

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14245200
Cells. 2022 Dec 09. pii: 3983. [Epub ahead of print]11(24):

Impact of Liver Inflammation on Bile Acid Side Chain Shortening and Amidation.

Marta Alonso-Peña, Ricardo Espinosa-Escudero, Heike M Hermanns, Oscar Briz, Jose M Herranz, Carmen Garcia-Ruiz, Jose C Fernandez-Checa, Javier Juamperez, Matias Avila, Josepmaria Argemi, Ramon Bataller, Javier Crespo, Maria J Monte, Andreas Geier, Elisa Herraez, Jose J G Marin.

  Bile acid (BA) synthesis from cholesterol by hepatocytes is inhibited by inflammatory cytokines. Whether liver inflammation also affects BA side chain shortening and conjugation was investigated. In human liver cell lines (IHH, HepG2, and HepaRG), agonists of nuclear receptors including the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), liver X receptor (LXR), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) did not affect the expression of BA-related peroxisomal enzymes. In contrast, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) inhibition down-regulated acyl-CoA oxidase 2 (ACOX2). ACOX2 was repressed by fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), which was prevented by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway inhibition. These changes were paralleled by altered BA synthesis (HPLC-MS/MS). Cytokines able to down-regulate cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) had little effect on peroxisomal enzymes involved in BA synthesis except for ACOX2 and bile acid-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAAT), which were down-regulated, mainly by oncostatin M (OSM). This effect was prevented by Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition, which restored BA side chain shortening and conjugation. The binding of OSM to the extracellular matrix accounted for a persistent effect after culture medium replacement. In silico analysis of four databases (n = 201) and a validation cohort (n = 90) revealed an inverse relationship between liver inflammation and ACOX2/BAAT expression which was associated with changes in HNF4α levels. In conclusion, BA side chain shortening and conjugation are inhibited by inflammatory effectors. However, other mechanisms involved in BA homeostasis counterbalance any significant impact on the serum BA profile.

Keywords:  ACOX2; ASH; BAAT; NAFL; NASH; bile acid; inflammation; oncostatin M

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11243983