Potential mechanisms underlying the effect of hepatocyte growth factor on liver injury in short bowel syndrome model rats

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the autophagy associated with apoptosis in hepatic damage in the short bowel syndrome rat model.

Methods: SD rats underwent jugular vein catheterization for continuous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and 90% small bowel resection. Animals were divided into two groups: TPN plus SBS (Control group) or TPN plus SBS plus intravenous administration of HGF (HGF group). On day 7, the rats were harvested, and hepatocellular injury was evaluated.

Results: In an SBS rat model, hepatic steatosis and lobular inflammation were histologically suppressed in the HGF group (p < 0.01). The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in the HGF group tend to be higher than that in the control group (p = 0.13). The gene expression of transforming Growth Factor-β in the HGF group was suppressed compared to the control group (p < 0.01). HGF treatment may have an antiapoptotic effect via the intrinsic pathway by caspase 9. Protein expressions of Rubicon (p = 0.03) and p62 (p < 0.01) in the HGF group were found to have increased compared to those in the control group.

Conclusion: The inhibitory effect of HGF on hepatic steatosis remains unclear, and further studies focusing on the mechanisms of fat accumulation are needed.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Autophagy; Hepatic steatosis; Hepatocyte growth factor; Short bowel syndrome.