Effect of N-acetylcysteine on mitophagy of hepatocytes in mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Chinese Hepatolgy ›› 2020, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (4): 382-386.

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Effect of N-acetylcysteine on mitophagy of hepatocytes in mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

ZHANG Ning-ping^1,2,*, FANG Ying^1,2, XIE Li³, WU Jian^1,2,3, SHEN Xi-zhong^1,2

1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 20032, China;
2. Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai 20032, China;
3. Department of Medical Microbiology, Fudan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China

Received:2020-04-05 Published:2020-05-09
Contact: SHEN Xi-Zhong, Email: shen.xizhong@zs-hospital.sh.cn;WU Jian, Email: jian.wu@fudan.edu.cn

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mitophagy in mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.Methods C57BL/J6 mice were fed with control diet, high-fat and high-calories (HFCD) diet and a HFCD+ NAC diet for 16 weeks. HE and Masson staining were used to evaluate liver injury. Liver function, IL-1β, blood glucose and triglyceride levels in liver tissues were detected. Immunofluorescence staining of frozen section of liver tissue was used to observe mitophagy. Changes of mRNA and protein levels of mitophagy markers in liver tissues of 3 groups of mice were compared. Results Compared to control group, the ALT [(24.9±2.12) vs (176.7±44.32)U/L, P<0.05], AST [(76.7±9.06) vs (291.3±39.66)U/L, P<0.05] and IL-1β [(2.94±0.08) vs (9.12±1.21), P<0.05] levels of HFCD group were increased. The liver function of HFCD+NAC group was improved, and the IL-1β levels were decreased [(9.12±1.21) vs (6.77±0.58)ng/L, P<0.05]. The expression of Parkin, PINK1 and LC3B II/I ratio in the liver tissues of HFCD group decreased, while the P62 level was increased. These results suggested that the level of mitophagy in HFCD group was decreased. Compared with the HFCD group, mitophagy of hepatocytes in the HFCD+NAC group improved (P<0.05).Conclusion NAC may reduce hepatocyte inflammatory progression by improving mitophagy of hepatocytes in mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Key words: N-acetylcysteine, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Mitophagy

ZHANG Ning-ping, FANG Ying, XIE Li, WU Jian, SHEN Xi-zhong. Effect of N-acetylcysteine on mitophagy of hepatocytes in mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2020, 25(4): 382-386.

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Effect of N-acetylcysteine on mitophagy of hepatocytes in mice with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

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