Gemigliptin Alleviates Succinate-Induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation by Ameliorating Mitochondrial Dysfunction

초록

Background: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) are used clinically as oral antidiabetic agents. Although DPP-4Is are known to ameliorate liver fibrosis, the protective mechanism of DPP-4Is in liver fibrosis remains obscure. In this study, gemigliptin was used to investigate the potential of DPP-4Is to alleviate the progression of liver fibrosis.Methods: To clarify the effects and mechanisms of gemigliptin, we conducted various experiments in LX-2 cells (immortalized hu-man hepatic stellate cells [HSCs], the principal effectors of hepatic fibrogenesis), which were activated by succinate and exhibited elevated expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen type 1, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased cell proliferation. In vivo, we examined the effects and mechanisms of gemigliptin on a high-fat, high-cholesterol-induced mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).Results: Gemigliptin decreased the expression of fibrogenesis markers and reduced the abnormal proliferation of HSCs. In addition, gemigliptin reduced the succinate-induced production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular ROS, and mito-chondrial fission in HSCs. Furthermore, in the mouse model of NASH-induced liver fibrosis, gemigliptin alleviated both liver fibro-sis and mitochondrial dysfunction.Conclusion: Gemigliptin protected against HSC activation and liver fibrosis by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS pro-duction, indicating its potential as a strategy for preventing the development of liver disease.

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