• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2007

It has been reported that hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels are decreased in diabetic patients, and glucagon increases hepatic efflux of GSH into blood. The signaling pathways responsible for mediating the glucagon effects on GSH efflux, however, are unknown. The signaling pathways involved in the regulation of GSH efflux in response to glucagon and insulin were examined in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. The GSH concentrations in the culture medium were markedly increased by the addition of glucagon, although cellular GSH levels are significantly decreased by glucagon. Insulin was also increased the GSH concentrations in the culture medium, but which is reflected in elevations of both cellular GSH and protein. Treatment of cells with 8-bromo-cAMP or dibutyryl-cAMP also resulted in elevation of the GSH concentrations in the culture medium. Pretreatment with H89, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase A, before glucagon addition markedly attenuated the glucagon effect. These results suggest that glucagon changes GSH homeostasis via elevation of GSH efflux, which may be responsible for decrease in hepatic GSH levels observed in diabetic condition. Furthermore, the present study implicates cAMP and protein kinase A in mediating the effect of glucagon on GSH efflux in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.209-216
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• 2001

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of l-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) in vivo. The plasma concentration and liver concentration of ANS were determined after its i.v. bolus administration at a dose of $30\;{\mu}mol/kg$ in rats. The hepatic uptake clearance $(CL_{uptake})$ of ANS was 0.1 ml/min/g liver. On the basis of the unbound concentration of ANS, the permeability-surface area product $(PS_{influx})$ was calculated to be l0.4 ml/min/g liver, being comparable of in vitro data. On the other hand, we determined the plasma concentration, liver concentration and biliary excretion rate of ANS at steady-state after its i. v. infusion $(0.2-1.6\;{\mu}mol/min/kg)$ in rats. The excretion clearance $(CL_{excretion})$ of ANS showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with increasing the infusion rate. The permeability-surface area product $(PS_{excretion})$ based on the unbound concentration in the liver was calculated to be 0.0165 ml/min/g liver, which is negligible compared with the intrinsic clearance $(CL_{int}=3.3\;ml/min/g\;liver)$ by rat liver microsomes. The sequestration process of ANS, therefore, was considered to be mainly due to the metabolic process in the liver $(PS_{seq}{\risingdotseq}CL_{int})$. Furthermore, $PS_{efflux}$ value calculated from $PS_{influx}$ and $PS_{seq}$ was 4.4 ml/min/g liver, which was comparable of in vitro data. In conclusion, in vivo parameters such as $PS_{influx}$, $PS_{efflux}$ and $PS_{seq}$ in the present study showed good in vivo-in vitro relationship. Thus, the kinetic analysis method proposed in the present study would be useful to analyze the hepatic transport of drugs in vivo.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2003

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the bidirectional transport of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) using isolated rat hepatocytes. The initial uptake rate of ANS by isolated hepatocytes was determined. The uptake process of ANS was saturable, with a $K_m of 29.1\pm3.2 \mu M and V_{max} of 2.9\pm0.1$ mmol/min/mg protein. Subsequently, the initial efflux rate of ANS from isolated hepatocytes was determined by resuspending preloaded cells to 3.0% (w/v) BSA buffer. The efflux process for total ANS revealed a little saturability. The mean value of the efflux clearance was $2.2\pm0.1 \mu$ L/min/mg protein. The efflux rate of ANS from hepatocytes was markedly decreased at $4^{\circ}C$, indicating that the apparent efflux of ANS might not be attributed to the release of ANS bound to the cell surface, but to the efflux of ANS from intracellular space. The efflux clearance was furthermore corrected for the unbound intracellular ANS concentration on the basis of its binding parameters to cytosol. The relation between efflux rate and unbound ANS concentration was fitted well to the Michaelis-Menten equation with a saturable and a nonsaturable components. The $V_{max} and K_m$ values were 0.54 mmol/min/mg protein, and 10.0 $\mu$ M, respectively. Based on the comparison of the ratios of $V_{max} to K_m (V_{max}/K_m)$ corresponding to the transport clearance, the influx clearance was two times higher than the efflux clearance. Together with our preliminary studies that ATP suppression in hepatocytes substantially inhibited ANS influx rate, we concluded that the hepatic uptake of ANS is actively taken up into hepatocytes via the carrier mediated transport system.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.194-209
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are an important determinant of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The disruption of cholesterol efflux or reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in peripheral tissues and macrophages may promote atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to examine whether bioactive ellagic acid, a functional food component, improved RCT functionality and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in diet-induced atherogenesis of apolipoproteins E (apoE) knockout (KO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Wild type mice and apoE KO mice were fed a high-cholesterol Paigen diet for 10 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and concomitantly received 10 mg/kg ellagic acid via gavage. RESULTS: Supplying ellagic acid enhanced induction of apoE and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter G1 in oxidized LDL-exposed macrophages, facilitating cholesterol efflux associated with RCT. Oral administration of ellagic acid to apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet improved hypercholesterolemia with reduced atherogenic index. This compound enhanced the expression of ABC transporters in peritoneal macrophages isolated from apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet, indicating increased cholesterol efflux. Plasma levels of cholesterol ester transport protein and phospholipid transport protein involved in RCT were elevated in mice lack of apoE gene, which was substantially reduced by supplementing ellagic acid to Paigen diet-fed mice. In addition, ellagic acid attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in apoE KO mice, evidenced by staining of hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Furthermore, the supplementation of 10 mg/kg ellagic acid favorably influenced the transcriptional levels of hepatic LDL receptor and scavenger receptor-B1 in Paigen diet-fed apoE KO mice. CONCLUSION: Ellagic acid may be an athero-protective dietary compound encumbering diet-induced atherogenesis though improving the RCT functionality.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2013

Acetaminophen (APAP) known as paracetamol is the main ingredient in Tylenol, which has analgesic and anti-pyretic properties. Inappropriate use of APAP causes major morbidity and mortality secondary to hepatic failure. Overdose of APAP depletes the hepatic glutathione (GSH) rapidly, and the metabolic intermediate leads to hepatocellular death. This article reviews the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity and provides an overview of current research studies. Pharmacokinetics including metabolism (activation and detoxification), subsequent transport (efflux)-facilitating excretion, and some other aspects related to toxicity are discussed. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulated gene battery plays a critical role in the multiple steps associated with the mitigation of APAP toxicity. The role of Nrf2 as a protective target is described, and potential natural products inhibiting APAP toxicity are outlined. This review provides an update on the mechanism of APAP toxicity and highlights the beneficial role of Nrf2 and specific natural products in hepatoprotection.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.137-149
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• 2015

Human hepatocytes, with complete hepatic metabolizing enzymes, transporters and cofactors, represent the gold standard for in vitro evaluation of drug metabolism, drug-drug interactions, and hepatotoxicity. Successful cryopreservation of human hepatocytes enables this experimental system to be used routinely. The use of human hepatocytes to evaluate two major adverse drug properties: drug-drug interactions and hepatotoxicity, are summarized in this review. The application of human hepatocytes in metabolism-based drug-drug interaction includes metabolite profiling, pathway identification, P450 inhibition, P450 induction, and uptake and efflux transporter inhibition. The application of human hepatocytes in toxicity evaluation includes in vitro hepatotoxicity and metabolism-based drug toxicity determination. A novel system, the Integrated Discrete Multiple Organ Co-culture (IdMOC) which allows the evaluation of nonhepatic toxicity in the presence of hepatic metabolism, is described.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.398-402
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• 2022

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), a rich source of polyphenols, exerts hypocholesterolemic effects. However, little is known about its effects on the regulation of the hepatic cholesterol metabolism and the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, the effects of polyphenol-rich black chokeberry extract (CBE) on hepatic cholesterol metabolism were investigated by measuring the expression of genes involved in the absorption, de novo synthesis, and efflux of cholesterol in HepG2 cells. There was a significant reduction in the expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism, the low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, in CBE-treated HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, CBE increased the expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol and bile acid efflux. The expression levels of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation genes increased, whereas those of lipogenic genes decreased following CBE treatment. These data suggest that the consumption of black chokeberry may be beneficial for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 1991

The effects of acute and chronic ethanol administration on hepatic and cerebellar glutathione (GSH) statuses and lipid peroxide levels in rats were investigated. In the liver, chronic ethanol feeding (6.9 g/kg, per day) as 10% (v/v) drinking water for 4 weeks produced a slight decrease of total GSH and an increase in the ratio of GSSG/total GSH without change of GSSG (oxidized GSH). Lipid peroxide level however was not modified. Many other studies have shown the acute ethanol loading effect in the rat liver, that is moderate decrease of total GSH and elevation of lipid peroxide level. Relating to this, it was observed that total GSH in the plasma obtained from post. hepatic inferior vena cava was increased by acute ethanol injection (50 mmol/kg, i.p.). This increased hepatic efflux of GSH into blood, in addition to the promoted antioxidative utilization of GSH, could be suggested as one of the possible reasons for the decrease of hepatic GSH induced by ethanol load. In the cerebellum, acute ethanol load did not change the total GSH and GSSG, but increased the lipid peroxidation rate. In the chronic, neither GSH pattern nor lipid peroxidation rate was changed.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.289-300
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• 1992

The counter-transport phenomena in the hepatic transport of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) were kinetically investigated by analyzing the plasma disappearance-time profiles and the transport into the isolated hepatocytes. In vivo "counter transport phenomena" were simulated based on the perfusion model which incorporated the carrier-mediated transport and the saturable intracellular binding. The condition that the mobility of carrier-ligand complex is greater than that of free carrier is not essential for the occurrence of counter-transport phenomenon. To examine the inhibitory effects on the initial uptake of a ligand by the liver, it is necessary to judge whether the true counter-transport mechanism (trans-stimulation) is working or not. The initial plasma disappearance curves of ANS were then kinetically analyzed based on a two-compartment model, in which the ligand is eliminated only from the peripheral compartment (liver compartment). No effects on the initial plasma disappearance rates of ANS were observed after preloading of bromophenol blue (BPB) or rose bengal (RB) in the liver. Inhibitory effect of BPB or RB on the initial uptake (or efflux) rates of ANS by the isolated hepatocytes were not observed, suggesting that the true counter transport mechanism is not working. In conclusion, checking the preloading effects of transstimulation on the initial uptake of a ligand by the liver could be a useful criterion for carrier cycling and common use of the same carrier between two ligands. However, one cannot exclude those possibilities even if the preloading effects cannot be observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 1986

It is now generally accepted that individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease may be identified by certain traits or habbits. The factors such as high blood pressure, elevated blood cholestrol, age, sex and obesity are associated with increseaed frequency of disease. The blood cholesterol level lowering will decrease cardiovascular disease risk. The regression of atherosclerosis can be achieved by lowering the level of circulating cholesterol. Those things are connected with the quantity and quality of protein, fats, carbohydrates, especially soluble and non-soluble fiber, magnesium and calcium. The lipoprotein and lipid metabolism are connected with the lipid transport. The factors on lipid absorption and blood serum lipid pattern of human are exist. The factors have a variety of materials with different chemical and physical properties. The soluble fiber diet make a low blood and liver lipids. Many kind of soluble fiber results in a lowering of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The cholesterol lowering effects of dietery fiber may be a results of alterations of in intestinal handling of fats, hepatic metabolism of fatty acid or triglyceride acid metabolism of lipoprotein. It is investigated that the high density lipoprotein (HDL) is inversely related to coronary artery disease. It has been postulated that HDL may be an important factor in cholesterol efflux from the tissues, therby reducing the amount of cholesterol deposited there. Alternatively, the HDL may pick up cholestyl ester and phospholipid during normal VLDL lipolysis in the plasma. The HDL levels are relatively insensitive to diet. At present time, the cause-and -diet effect of HDL's inverse relation to CHD remains unclear.