OBJECTIVES: To study the therapeutic mechanism of Tuihuang Mixture against cholestasis. METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized equally into blank group, model group, ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tuihuang Mixture group. Except for those in the blank group, all the rats were given α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish rat models of cholestasis, followed by treatments with indicated drugs or distilled water. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL of the rats were determined, and hepatic expressions IL-1β, IL-18, FXR, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected using q-PCR, ELISA or Western blotting. Histopathological changes of the liver tissues were observed using HE staining. RESULTS: The rat models of cholestasis had significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL with increased mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and IL-18, decreased protein and mRNA expressions of FXR, and increased protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 and mRNA expressions of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD in the liver tissue, showing also irregular arrangement of liver cells, proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and inflammatory cells infiltration. Treatment of the rat models with Tuihuang Mixture significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, γ-GT, TBA and TBIL, lowered IL-1β and IL-18 and increased FXR protein and mRNA expressions, and reduced NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1 and GSDMD proteins and NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA expressions in the liver tissue. Tuihuang Mixture also significantly alleviated hepatocyte injury, bile duct epithelial cell proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver of the rat models. CONCLUSIONS Tuihuang Mixture can effectively improve cholestasis in rats possibly by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatosome-mediated pyroptosis via regulating FXR.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Rats ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism* ; Cholestasis/drug therapy* ; Rats, Wistar ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of Li-Dan-He-Ji in the treatment of infantile cholestatic hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Patients who met the diagnostic criteria of infantile cholestatic hepatic fibrosis in the department of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the department of gastroenterology of Wuhan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January to December 2021 were included in the study by prospective randomized controlled trial. They were divided into the conventional treatment group and Li-Dan-He-Ji group according to the random number table. The patients in the conventional treatment group were given conventional treatment according to the guidelines. In the Li-Dan-He-Ji group, the self-made Chinese medicinal compound Li-Dan-He-Ji (prescription: Herba Artemisiae Scopariae, Fructus Forsythiae, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei preparata, Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Fructus Aurantii, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, Carapax Trionycis, and Radix Glycyrrhizae) was given on the basis of the routine treatment, by oral, enema or nasal feeding, 60 mL each day, divided into 2 or 3 times, for 28 days. Outpatient follow-up was maintained for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, serum liver fibrosis 4 items [type IV collagen (IV-C), hyaluronidase (HA), type III procollagen (PC III), laminin (LN)], liver function and cholestasis-related markers [total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), total bile acid (TBA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH)], liver stiffness measurement (LSM) detected by transient elastography (TE), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and liver and spleen retraction time were recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: During the observation period, a total of 40 cases of cholestatic hepatic fibrosis were treated, including 21 cases in the conventional treatment group and 19 cases in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group. Before treatment, the differences in serum liver fibrosis 4 items, serum liver function and cholestasis-related markers, oxidative stress indexes, LSM and APRI of the two groups were not statistically significant. After treatment, the liver fibrosis 4 items, liver function and cholestasis-related markers, LSM, and APRI were all significantly decreased in both groups, and the indexes in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group were significantly lower than those in the conventional treatment group [HA (ng/L): 165.81±21.57 vs. 203.87±25.88, PC III (μg/L): 69.86±9.32 vs. 81.82±7.39, IV-C (μg/L): 204.14±38.97 vs. 239.08±24.93, LN (μg/L): 162.40±17.39 vs. 190.86±15.97, TBil (μmol/L): 37.58±27.63 vs. 53.06±45.09, DBil (μmol/L): 20.55±19.34 vs. 30.08±27.39, ALP (U/L): 436.50±217.58 vs. 469.60±291.69, γ-GGT (U/L): 66.78±35.84 vs. 87.00±32.82, ALT (U/L): 64.75±50.53 vs. 75.20±50.19, AST (U/L): 77.25±54.23 vs. 96.80±59.77, TBA (μmol/L): 74.35±44.44 vs. 85.45±39.50, LSM (kPa): 5.24±0.39 vs. 7.53±3.16, APRI: 0.52±0.39 vs. 0.98±0.29, all P < 0.05]. After treatment, MDA in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, and SOD and GSH were significantly higher than those before treatment. The level of SOD in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group was significantly higher than that in the conventional treatment group (kU/L: 64.56±6.69 vs. 51.58±5.98, P < 0.05). In addition, the liver retraction time (day: 20.13±10.97 vs. 24.33±13.46) and spleen retraction time (day: 25.93±13.01 vs. 29.14±14.52) in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group were significantly shorter than those in the conventional treatment group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The use of Li-Dan-He-Ji in the treatment of cholestatic hepatic fibrosis can effectively improve the indicators of cholestasis, hepatic fibrosis, oxidative stress and clinical symptoms in children.
Child ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Cholestasis/pathology* ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy* ; Bilirubin/pharmacology* ; Oxidative Stress ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

This study aims to investigate the effect of Chaihu Shugan Powder(CHSG) on liver injury in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis by regulating farnesoid X receptor(FXR)/nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE) pathway. Eighty-four SD rats were classified into normal group, model group, CHSG-L group(0.5 g·kg~(-1)), CHSG-H group(2.5 g·kg~(-1)), ursodeoxycholic acid group(UDCA group, 100 mg·kg~(-1)), CHSG-H+sh-NC group(2.5 g·kg~(-1) CHSG+subcutaneous injection of sh-NC lentivirus), CHSG-H+sh-FXR group(2.5 g·kg~(-1) CHSG+subcutaneous injection of sh-FXR lentivirus), with 12 rats in each group. Rats were treated with corresponding drugs except for the normal group and the model group, once a day, for 7 days. On 5 th day, rats, except the normal group, were given α-naphthalene isothiocyanate(ANIT) at a dose of 100 mg·kg~(-1), once a day for 3 days to induce intrahepatic cholestasis, and the normal group was given the same amount of normal saline. Rats were anesthetized 1 h after the last administration and the 2 h bile flow was measured. Aeroset chemistry analyzer was employed to detect the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), total bilirubin(TBIL), and total bile acid(TBA) in rat serum. Based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining, the pathological changes of rat liver tissue were observed. Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and malondialdehyde(MDA) in rat liver tissue homogenate were monitored with corresponding kits. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FXR, Nrf2, and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) proteins in rat liver tissue. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed many spots or concentrated necrotic areas in the liver tissue, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, swelling liver cells with nuclear shrinkage. The 2 h bile flow, levels of GSH-Px and SOD, and relative expression of FXR, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins were significantly lower, and the levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA and MDA were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group. Compared with the model group, CHSG-L group, CHSG-H group, and UDCA group demonstrated significant alleviation of pathological damage of the liver tissue, significantly high 2 h bile flow, levels of GSH-Px and SOD, and expression of FXR, Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins, and significantly low levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA and MDA. Compared with the CHSG-H group, the CHSG-H+sh-FXR group had worse liver pathological damage, significantly low levels of 2 h bile flow, levels of GSH-Px and SOD, and expression of FXR, Nrf2, and HO-1 proteins, and significantly high levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, TBA, and MDA. CHSG may protect against liver injury in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis by activating the FXR/Nrf2/ARE pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; 1-Naphthylisothiocyanate/toxicity* ; Powders ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/drug therapy* ; Liver ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Oxidative Stress

A chronic cholestasis model was induced in mice by feeding a diet containing 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine(DDC). The effects of Ershiwuwei Songshi Pills(ESP) on endogenous metabolites in mice with chronic cholestasis were investigated by metabolomics analysis based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS). The results showed that ESP was effective in improving pathological injury and reducing serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and total bile acid in the model mice. Meanwhile, 13 common differential metabolites were revealed in metabolomic screening between the model/control group and the model/ESP group, including uric acid, glycolaldehyde, kynurenine, flavin adenine dinucleotide, L-3-phenyllactic acid, I-urobilin, leukotriene D4(LTD4), taurocholic acid, trioxilin A3, D-inositol-1,4-diphosphate, PC [16:0/20:2(11Z,14Z)], PC[14:0/22:2(13Z,16Z)], and PC[20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)]. After ESP intervention, the levels of all 13 differential metabolites were significantly retraced, and pathway analysis showed that ESP achieved its therapeutic effect mainly by affecting arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis. This study elucidated the mechanism of action of ESP against chronic cholestasis based on metabolites.
Animals ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Cholestasis/drug therapy* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Metabolomics ; Mice

Hepatic osteodystrophy is frequent complication in patients with chronic liver disease, particularly with chronic cholestasis. We report a male infant with congenital hepatoblastoma, who had osteodystrophy complicated by multiple bone fractures despite adequate supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamin D. He was born by Caesarean section because of a 7 cm–sized abdominal mass detected by prenatal ultrasonography. The pathologic diagnosis was hepatoblastoma, PRETEXT staging III or IV. Whole body bone scan at the time of diagnosis showed no abnormal uptake. Oral vitamin D3 of 2,000 IU/day was administered with other fat-soluble vitamins. Serum direct bilirubin level gradually increased up to 28.9 mg/dL at postnatal 6 days and was above 5 mg/dL until 110 days of age. Bony changes consistent with rickets became apparent in left proximal humerus since 48 days of age, and multiple bone fractures developed thereafter. With resolving cholestasis by chemotherapy, his bony lesions improved gradually after add-on treatment of bisphosphonate and parenteral administration of vitamin D with calcium. High level of suspicion and prevention of osteodystrophy is needed in patients with hepatoblastoma, especially when cholestasis persists.
Bilirubin ; Calcium ; Cesarean Section ; Cholecalciferol ; Cholestasis ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; Hepatoblastoma ; Humans ; Humerus ; Infant ; Liver Diseases ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Rickets ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

To study the mechanism and action of Cinnamomi Ramulus in ameliorating intrahepatic cholestasis induced by α-isothiocyanate( ANIT) in rats by regulating FXR pathway. Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,positive control( ursodeoxycholic acid) group( 60 mg·kg~(-1)),Cinnamomi Ramulus treatment( 60 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group,and Cinnamomi Ramulus treatment( 20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) group,with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group,the other groups were intragastrically administered with the corresponding concentrations of continuous aqueous solution( 0. 005 m L·g~(-1)),once a day,for 7 days.Except for the normal group,the other groups were treated with ANIT( 100 mg·kg~(-1)),once a day,for 3 days. Blood was taken from the abdominal aorta 24 hours after the last administration,and serum alanine aminotransferase( ALT),aspartate aminotransferase( AST),total bilirubin( TBi L),and total bile acid( TBA) were measured. 1. 5-2 cm of rat liver tissue was taken. After fixation with10% formaldehyde,paraffin-embedded sections were taken,HE staining was performed,and immunohistochemistry( IHC) was used to analyze the expression of FXR. RNA and protein were extracted from rat liver tissue to detect FXR mRNA expression,as well as bile acid synthesis and detoxification,transport related SHP,UGT2 B4,BSEP protein expressions at downstream of FXR. Compared with the normal group,serum ALT,AST,TBi L,and TBA levels were elevated in the model group( P<0. 01),liver damage was severe,FXR protein's optical density decreased,FXR mRNA expression decreased,and SHP,UGT2 B4,BSEP protein expressions were decreased( P<0. 05,P<0. 01). Compared with the model group,the drug group could reduce serum ALT,AST,TB,TBA levels to different degrees( P<0. 05,P<0. 01),alleviate liver tissue damage,increase the optical density of FXR protein,and promote the expressions of FXR mRNA and FXR,SHP,BSEP and UGT2 B4 proteins( P<0. 05,P<0. 01). Cinnamomi Ramulus can alleviate ANIT-induced intrahepatic cholestasis,and reduce hepatocyte injury and serum ALT,AST,TBi L and TBA levels. The mechanism may be through FXR-SHP,FXR-UGT2 B4,FXR-BSEP signaling pathways. Therefore,in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis,we can try to further explore in alleviating intrahepatic cholestasis with Cinnamomi Ramulus,so as to provide effective drugs for clinical treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Bile Acids and Salts ; blood ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Cinnamomum ; chemistry ; Isothiocyanates ; Liver ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To screen the active ingredients of Gardenia jasminoides and potential targets,and investigate the mechanisms against cholestasis based on network pharmacology technology. Twenty-one active components of G. jasminoides were retrieved and the target sites were screened by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform( TCMSP). Cytoscape3. 2. 1 was used to construct the component-target network. Two hundred and eight targets related to cholestasis were searched and screened through Dis Ge NET,KEGG and OMIM databases. The key targets of G. jasminoides components and cholestasis were integrated and screened,and the component-target-disease network was constructed with Cytoscape 3. 2. 1 software to screen out the core network whose freedom degree was greater than the average value. The Clue GO plug-in of Cytoscape 3. 2. 1 software was used to analyze the biological processes and pathway enrichment of G. jasminoides in regulation of cholestasis. GO biological process analysis revealed 17 biological processes,involving 3 signaling biological processes related to cholestasis,i.e. acute inflammatory response,positive regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolic process,and nitric oxide biosynthetic process. KEGG-KEEG-305 terms and REACTOME pathways analysis revealed 17 regulatory pathways,involving 4 signaling pathways related to cholestasis,i.e. metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450,nuclear receptor transcription pathway,GPVI-mediated activation cascade and platelet activation. It was found that aqueous extract of G. jasminoides could improve serum biochemical abnormalities in ANIT-induced cholestasis rats. Aqueous extract of G. jasminoides could decrease the protein and mRNA expression levels of ESR1 in liver tissues,and increase the protein and mRNA expression levels of PPARG,NOS2,F2 R,NOS3,and NR3 C1. To sum up,the possible mechanisms of G. jasminoides against cholestasis may be related with the above three processes and four pathways.
Animals ; Cholestasis ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Signal Transduction

Chrysosplenium nudicaule,Tibetan name " Yajima",is recorded as an effective medicine for the treatment of liver and gallbladder diseases by Tibetan Pharmacopoeia published in the past dynasties,but its traditional efficacy has not yet been investigated by means of modern pharmacological research methods. In this paper,the protective effect of extract of C. nudicaule(ECN) on liver injury in mice was observed by using the mice model of intrahepatic cholestasis(IC) induced by α-naphthyl isothiocyanate(ANIT) and the possible mechanism by which ECN work as the therapeutic agent was discussed. The results showed that the serum levels of AST,ALT,ALP,DBIL,TBIL and TBA of the model mice were notably reduced in dose-dependent manner(P<0. 01,P<0. 05). The activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the liver homogenate of mice was increased,while the content of MDA was decreased(P<0. 01,P<0. 05).Pathological examination of liver in mice showed that ECN could improve the pathological changes of liver tissue in mice. The mRNA expression level of genes related to bile acid metabolism were detected by RT-PCR and the results suggested that ECN could significantly increase the expression of genes such as BSEP,FXR and MRP2(P<0. 01,P<0. 05),meanwhile significantly reduce the expression of CYP7 A1(P<0. 01,P<0. 05). These results confirmed the protective effect of ECN on intrahepatic cholestasis-induced liver injury in mice,and indicated that the mechanism may be related to activating FXR and its target genes,reducing bile acid synthesis and increasing bile acid excretion. This study provides a modern pharmacological basis for the clinical application of Yajima in Tibetan medicine.
Animals ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Liver ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Mice ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Saxifragaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of emodin in young rats with intrahepatic cholestasis.

METHODSA total of 120 young Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, and high-, medium-, and low-dose emodin groups, with 24 rats in each group. The rats in the control and model groups were given sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution by gavage, while the other groups were given different doses of emodin solution by gavage. On the 5th day of experiment, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 50 mg/kg) was applied by gavage to establish the model of intrahepatic cholestasis in all groups except the control group. At 24, 48, and 72 hours after gavage, 8 rats in each group were sacrificed. Colorimetry was used to measure the serum levels of total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), total bile acid (TBA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in each group, and hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to observe the morphological changes of the liver under a light microscope at different time points.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the model group had significantly increased serum levels of TBIL, DBIL, TBA, ALP, GGT, ALT, and AST at the 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour time points (P<0.01). In the model group, the serum levels of TBIL, DBIL, TBA, ALT, and AST showed varying degrees of increase at 48 hours after establishment of model, compared with the values at 24 and 72 hours (P<0.05). At 24, 48, and 72 hours, the high-, medium-, and low-dose emodin groups had varying degrees of reductions in the serum levels of TBIL and TBA compared with the model group (P<0.05); the high- and low-dose emodin groups had significantly increased serum levels of TBA compared with the medium-dose emodin group (P<0.05). The model group had the most severe pathological changes at 48 hours. Compared with the model group, the high-, medium-, and low-dose emodin groups showed certain improvement in pathological changes of the liver at each time point, and the medium-dose emodin group had better improvement compared with the high- and low-dose emodin groups.

CONCLUSIONSEmodin can effectively improve ANIT-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in young rats, and medium-dose emodin shows the best effect.

Alanine Transaminase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bilirubin ; metabolism ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Emodin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare progressive liver disease characterized by cholestasis and bile duct fibrosis, has no accepted, effective therapy known to delay or arrest its progression. We report a 15 year old female patient diagnosed with PSC and moderate chronic active ulcerative colitis (UC) who achieved normalization of her liver enzymes and bile ducts, and resolution of her UC symptoms with colonic mucosal healing, after treatment with a single drug therapy of the antibiotic oral vancomycin. We postulate that the oral vancomycin may be acting both as an antibiotic by altering the intestinal microbiome and as an immunomodulator. Oral vancomycin may be a promising treatment for PSC that needs to be further studied in randomized trials.
Bile Ducts ; Child* ; Cholangitis, Sclerosing* ; Cholestasis ; Colitis, Ulcerative* ; Colon ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Ulcer* ; Vancomycin*