Aspartate reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway via upregulating NS3TP1 expression

Abstract

Aspartate (Asp) can act on liver Kupffer cells, inhibit NOD-like receptor-P 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory bodies, and improve liver inflammation in acute hepatitis. However, the effect of Asp on the role of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in chronic liver injury remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Asp on CCl4‑induced liver fibrosis in mice and HSCs via the NF-κB/ NLRP3 signaling pathway. Liver fibrosis was induced in C57BL/6J mice by intraperitoneally (IP) injecting 0.5 mL/kg 2% CCl4 three times weekly for 8 weeks. Asp was administered to mice by gavage once every morning for 4 weeks. Masson's trichrome staining, Sirius red staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to detect and analyze the pathological changes in liver tissues. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were applied to determine the protein expression levels of α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA), collagen Ⅲ (COL Ⅲ), NLRP3, and IL-1β. Also, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels. In the liver fibrosis model, the pathological changes in liver tissues improved following treatment with Asp. A marked decrease was observed in protein and mRNA expression levels of α‑SMA, COL Ⅲ, NLRP3, and IL-1β. In addition, HSCs were treated with Asp. The expression levels of α‑SMA, COL Ⅲ, NLRP3, and IL-1β reduced in dose‑ and time-dependent manners. Furthermore, Asp upregulated the expression of NS3TP1 in vivo and in vitro, and NS3TP1 had a significant inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis. Asp attenuated liver fibrosis and reduced collagen production by suppressing the NF-κB/ NLRP3 signaling pathway via upregulating the expression of NS3TP1.