Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha induction of uncoupling protein 2 protects against acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity.

ABSTRACT: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes acute liver failure in humans and rodents due in part to the destruction of mitochondria as a result of increased oxidative stress followed by hepatocellular necrosis. Activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR?), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that controls the expression of genes encoding peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid ?-oxidation enzymes, with the experimental ligand Wy-14,643 or the clinically used fibrate drug fenofibrate, fully protects mice from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. PPAR?-humanized mice were also protected, whereas Ppara-null mice were not, thus indicating that the protection extends to human PPAR? and is PPAR?-dependent. This protection is due in part to induction of the PPAR? target gene encoding mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). Forced overexpression of UCP2 protected wildtype mice against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in the absence of PPAR? activation. Ucp2-null mice, however, were sensitive to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity despite activation of PPAR? with Wy-14,643. Protection against hepatotoxicity by UCP2-induction through activation of PPAR? is associated with decreased APAP-induced c-jun and c-fos expression, decreased phosphorylation of JNK and c-jun, lower mitochondrial H(2)O(2) levels, increased mitochondrial glutathione in liver, and decreased levels of circulating fatty acyl-carnitines. These studies indicate that the PPAR? target gene UCP2 protects against elevated reactive oxygen species generated during drug-induced hepatotoxicity and suggest that induction of UCP2 may also be a general mechanism for protection of mitochondria during fatty acid ?-oxidation.

SUBMITTER: Patterson AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3378765 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature