Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease; however, no specific pharmacological therapy has yet been approved for this condition. Plant-derived extracts can be an important source for the development of new drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of (E)-β-caryophyllene (BCP), a phytocannabinoid recently found to be beneficial against metabolic diseases, on HepG2 steatotic hepatocytes. Using a fluorescence-based lipid quantification assay and GC-MS analysis, we show that BCP is able to decrease lipid accumulation in steatotic conditions and to change the typical steatotic lipid profile by primarily reducing saturated fatty acids. By employing specific antagonists, we demonstrate that BCP action is mediated by multiple receptors: CB2 cannabinoid receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and γ (PPARγ). Interestingly, BCP was able to counteract the increase in CB2 and the reduction in PPARα receptor expression observed in steatotic conditions. Moreover, through immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, we demonstrate that CB2 receptors are mainly intracellularly localized and that BCP is internalized in HepG2 cells with a maximum peak at 2 h, suggesting a direct interaction with intracellular receptors. The results obtained with BCP in normal and steatotic hepatocytes encourage future applications in the treatment of NAFLD.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10094507 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076060 | DOI Listing |
Klin Mikrobiol Infekc Lek
September 2023
Infectious Disease Clinic Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Brno; Czech Repubic, e-mail:
For the first time, a separate Czech guideline focuses exclusively on hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection. Until recently, HDV infection was only mentioned in guidelines concerning hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, in chapters on HBV/HDV co-infection. The guideline is based on the July 2023 recommendations from the European Association for the Study of the Liver.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKlin Mikrobiol Infekc Lek
September 2023
Infectious Disease Department, Ceske Budejovice Hospital, Czech Repubic, e-mail:
Corynebacteria, non-spore-forming, gram-positive, aerobic or facultative anaerobic, pleomorphic bacilli, are part of the normal skin, oropharyngeal, and intestinal flora in humans. However, this microorganism can rarely be associated with invasive infections such as bone and joint infections, bacteremia, endocarditis, meningitis, liver and spleen abscesses. We present a case of bacteremic arthritis of a native knee joint caused by non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHum Cell
January 2025
Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, No. 136 Jiangyangzhonglu, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
Cancer, a complicated disease characterized by aberrant cellular metabolism, has emerged as a formidable global health challenge. Since the discovery of abnormal aldolase A (ALDOA) expression in liver cancer for the first time, its overexpression has been identified in numerous cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), breast cancer (BC), cervical adenocarcinoma (CAC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), gastric cancer (GC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic cancer adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Moreover, ALDOA overexpression promotes cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and drug resistance, and is closely related to poor prognosis of patients with cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Exp Med
January 2025
Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebeen Elkoom, Menoufia, Egypt.
The diagnostic criteria for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and Metabolic Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) aim to refine the classification of fatty liver diseases previously grouped under Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). This study evaluates the applicability of the MAFLD and MASLD frameworks in NAFLD patients, exploring their clinical utility in identifying high-risk patients. A total of 369 NAFLD patients were assessed using MAFLD and MASLD diagnostic criteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections pose significant global health concerns, contributing to chronic liver diseases. Blood transfusion is identified as a potential route for the transmission of these viruses, necessitating effective screening strategies for blood donors. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of nucleic acid testing (NAT) in detecting HBV and HCV infections among blood donors who initially tested negative in serological tests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!