Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis severity is defined by a failure in compensatory antioxidant capacity in the setting of mitochondrial dysfunction

World J Gastroenterol. 2018 Apr 28;24(16):1748-1765. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i16.1748.

Abstract

Aim: To comprehensively evaluate mitochondrial (dys) function in preclinical models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods: We utilized two readily available mouse models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with or without progressive fibrosis: Lepob/Lepob (ob/ob) and FATZO mice on high trans-fat, high fructose and high cholesterol (AMLN) diet. Presence of NASH was assessed using immunohistochemical and pathological techniques, and gene expression profiling. Morphological features of mitochondria were assessed via transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence, and function was assessed by measuring oxidative capacity in primary hepatocytes, and respiratory control and proton leak in isolated mitochondria. Oxidative stress was measured by assessing activity and/or expression levels of Nrf1, Sod1, Sod2, catalase and 8-OHdG.

Results: When challenged with AMLN diet for 12 wk, ob/ob and FATZO mice developed steatohepatitis in the presence of obesity and hyperinsulinemia. NASH development was associated with hepatic mitochondrial abnormalities, similar to those previously observed in humans, including mitochondrial accumulation and increased proton leak. AMLN diet also resulted in increased numbers of fragmented mitochondria in both strains of mice. Despite similar mitochondrial phenotypes, we found that ob/ob mice developed more advanced hepatic fibrosis. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased in ob/ob AMLN mice, whereas FATZO mice displayed increased catalase activity, irrespective of diet. Furthermore, 8-OHdG, a marker of oxidative DNA damage, was significantly increased in ob/ob AMLN mice compared to FATZO AMLN mice. Therefore, antioxidant capacity reflected as the ratio of catalase:SOD activity was similar between FATZO and C57BL6J control mice, but significantly perturbed in ob/ob mice.

Conclusion: Oxidative stress, and/or the capacity to compensate for increased oxidative stress, in the setting of mitochondrial dysfunction, is a key factor for development of hepatic injury and fibrosis in these mouse models.

Keywords: Fibrosis; Mitochondrial function; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; Oxidative stress; Steatosis.

MeSH terms

  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • Deoxyguanosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxyguanosine / metabolism
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Dietary Sugars
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fructose
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver / ultrastructure
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Mitochondria, Liver / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria, Liver / ultrastructure
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / etiology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / pathology
  • Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1 / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Dietary Sugars
  • Nrf1 protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1
  • Fructose
  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Catalase
  • Sod1 protein, mouse
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1
  • superoxide dismutase 2
  • Deoxyguanosine