S-Propargyl-cysteine prevents concanavalin A-induced immunological liver injury in mice. (31st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Beilei; Mao, Yicheng; Chang, Lingling; Dai, Tao; Xin, Xiaoming; Ma, Fenfen; Wang, Zhijun; Shen, Zhuqing; Mei, Qibing; Zhu, Yizhun
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 60:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 1169
• Page End: 1176
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31
• Subjects: Hydrogen sulphide -- cystathionine γ-lyase -- autoimmune hepatitis -- mitogen-activated protein kinase; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2080234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

Abstract: Context: S -Propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), an endogenous H2 S modulator, exerts anti-inflammatory effects on cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease, but it remains unknown whether SPRC can prevent autoimmune hepatitis. Objective: To evaluate the preventive effect of SPRC on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced liver injury and uncover the underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods: Mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, Con A, SPRC (5 and 10 mg/kg injected intravenously once a day for 7 days), and propargylglycine (PAG; 50 mg/kg injected intraperitoneally 0.5 h before SPRC for 7 days). All mice except the controls were intravenously injected with Con A (20 mg/kg) on day 7. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were evaluated using kits. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) in the blood and in the liver were detected by ELISA Kit and real-time PCR, respectively. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins (p-JNK and p-Akt) and apoptosis proteins (Bax and Bcl-2) was detected using western blotting. Results: SPRC reduced the levels of AST ( p < 0.05) and ALT ( p < 0.01) and decreased the release of the inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, SPRC increased H2 S level ( p < 0.05) and promoted cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) expression ( p < 0.05). SPRC inhibited the MAPK pathway activation and the apoptosis pathway. All the effects of SPRC were blocked by the CSE inhibitor PAG. Conclusions: SPRC prevents Con A-induced liver injury in mice by promoting CSE expression and producing endogenous H2 S. The mechanisms include reducing the release of inflammatory cytokines, attenuating MAPK pathway activation, and alleviating apoptosis.