Obeticholic acid ameliorates hepatorenal syndrome in ascitic cirrhotic rats by down-regulating the renal 8-iso-PGF2α-activated COX-TXA2pathway

Yu Lien Tsai, Chih Wei Liu, Chien Fu Hsu, Chia Chang Huang, Ming Wei Lin, Shiang Fen Huang, Tzu Hao Li, Kuei Chuan Lee, Yun Cheng Hsieh, Ying Ying Yang*, Tzung Yan Lee, Hsuan Miao Liu, Yi Hsiang Huang, Ming Chih Hou, Han Chieh Lin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Backgrounds/Aims: The present study explores the potential of chronic treatment with the Foresaid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA), which inhibits oxidative stress-related pathogenesis, in ascitic cirrhotic rats with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) developed 6 weeks after bile duct ligation (BDL). Methods: Systemic, splanchnic, and renal hemodynamics and pathogenic cascades were measured in ascitic BDL and sham rats receiving 2-weeks of either vehicle or OCA treatments (sham-OCA and BDL-OCA groups), and NRK-52E cells, rat kidney tubular epithelial cells. Results: Chronic OCA treatment significantly normalized portal hypertension, glomerular filtration rate, urine output, renal blood flow; decreased ascites, renal vascular resistance, serum creatinine, and the release of renal tubular damage markers, including urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and kidney injury moleculae-1 (uKim-1) in BDL-OCA rats. In the BDL group, inhibition of the renal oxidative stress (8-iso-PGF2α)-activated cyclooxygenase-thromboxane A2 [COX-TXA2] pathway, apoptosis, and tubular injury accompanied by a decrease in hyper-responsiveness to the vasoconstrictor 8-iso-PGF2α in perfused kidneys. In vitro experiments revealed that 8-iso-PGF2α induced oxidative stress, release of reactive oxygen species, and cell apoptosis, which were reversed by concomitant incubation with the FXR agonist. Conclusions: Through the inhibition of renal 8-iso-PGF2α production and the down-regulation of the COX-TXA2 pathway, our study suggests that chronic OCA treatment can ameliorate the HRS in ascitic cirrhotic rats. Thus, OCA is an agent with antioxidative stress, antivasoconstrictive, antiapoptotic properties which benefit ascitic, cirrhotic rats with systemic, hepatic, and renal abnormalities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2055-2073
Number of pages19
JournalClinical Science
Volume134
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2020

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