Exploring the Changes of Peroxisomal Polarity in the Liver of Mice with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Anal Chem. 2021 Jul 13;93(27):9609-9620. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01776. Epub 2021 Jun 30.

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-a) is a crucial nuclear transcription regulator of lipid metabolism, which is closely associated with the initiation and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Because PPAR-a can directly decide the level of peroxisomal metabolic enzymes, its changes might directly cause variations in peroxisomal polarity. Therefore, we developed a new two-photon fluorescence imaging probe, PX-P, in which the triphenylamine and cyanide moieties can real-time sense peroxisomal polarity changes. Using PX-P, we observed a prominent decrease in the peroxisomal polarity in the liver of mice with NAFLD for the first time. More importantly, we discovered that intracellular excessive peroxynitrite (ONOO-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) underwent nitrification and oxidation, respectively, with various sites of PPAR-a. Interestingly, the key site of PPAR-a was nitrated by a low concentration of ONOO- rather than being oxidized by the high level of H2O2. These drastically reduced the activity of PPAR-a, accelerating the occurrence of NAFLD. Moreover, through activating PPARs with pioglitazone, peroxisomal polarity markedly increased compared with that of NAFLD. Altogether, our work presents a new approach for the early diagnosis of NAFLD and identifies potential therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Hydrogen Peroxide