Open Access

ARTICLE

Amitriptyline inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the ASM/CE pathway in a cell model of NAFLD

QIN LIU^1,#, CHUNYAN NIU^2,#,*, QIANG ZHANG³, SHIQIN SUN⁴, YUE CHEN², YONGQIANG SHI²

1 Shengli Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, China
2 Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Lishui People’s Hospital, Zhongda Hospital Lishui Branch, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211200, China
3 Department of Gastroenterology, Yancheng Third People’s Hospital (The Yancheng School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University), Yancheng, 224000, China
4 Administrative Department of Teaching and Scientific Research, Nanjing Lishui People’s Hospital, Zhongda Hospital Lishui Branch, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211200, China

* Corresponding Author: CHUNYAN NIU. Email:
# Contributed equally

BIOCELL 2024, 48(5), 759-769. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2024.048551

Received 11 December 2023; Accepted 07 February 2024; Issue published 06 May 2024

Abstract

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health concern with the acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)/ceramide (CE) pathway and the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome identified as pivotal players in lipid disorders and inflammation. This study explores the interaction mechanism between the ASM/CE pathway and NLRP3 in NAFLD cell models, aiming to understand the impact of amitriptyline (Ami), an ASM inhibitor, on lipid deposition and hepatocyte injury by regulating the ASM/CE-NLRP3 pathway. Methods: HepG2 and HL-7702 cells were exposed to free fatty acids (FFAs) to establish the NAFLD model. The cells were divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, Ami group, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) group, and Ami + TNF-α group. Intracellular lipid droplets were visualized using Oil Red O staining, and Western blot analysis quantified ASM, NLRP3, and caspase 1 protein expression. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was measured CE and ASM levels, while qRT-PCR assessed mRNA expression. The apoptotic rate was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). Results: Following FFAs incubation, significant increases in ASM and CE levels were observed in HepG2 and HL-7702 cells, accompanied by elevated expression of NLRP3, and caspase 1, and IL-1β. TNF-α treatment further amplified these indicators. Ami demonstrated a reduction in lipid deposition, suppressed ASM/CE pathway activation, downregulated NLRP3 and caspase 1 expression, and improved apoptosis. Additionally, MCC950, a selective inhibitor of the NLRP3, mitigated NLRP3, caspase 1, and IL-1β expression, alleviating lipid deposition and apoptosis in the NAFLD cell model. Conclusion: The ASM/CE-NLRP3 pathway in NAFLD cells promotes hepatocyte steatosis, inflammation, and cell damage. Ami emerges as a promising therapeutic agent by inhibiting the ASM/CE-NLRP3 pathway, underscoring its potential as a key target for NAFLD treatment.

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