title: The metabolic function of hepatocytes differentiated from human mesenchymal stem cells is inversely related to cellular glutathione levels.
abstract: Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to hepatocytes-like cells is associated with alteration in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense system. Here, we report the role of glutathione in the functions of hepatocytes derived from MSCs. The stem cells undergoing differentiation were treated with glutathione modifiers [buthionine sulfoxide (BSO) or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)], and hepatocytes were collected on day 14 of differentiation and analysed for their biological and metabolic functions. Differentiation process has been performed in presence of glutathione modifiers viz. BSO and NAC. Depending on the level of cellular glutathione, the proliferation rate of MSCs was affected. Glutathione depletion by BSO resulted in increased levels of albumin and ROS in hepatocytes. Whereas, albumin and ROS were inhibited in cells treated with glutathione precursor (NAC). The metabolic function of hepatocytes was elevated in BSO-treated cells as judged by increased urea, transferrin, albumin, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase secretions in the media. However, the metabolic activity of the hepatocytes was inhibited when glutathione was increased by NAC. We conclude that the efficiency of metabolic function of hepatocytes is inversely related to the levels of cellular glutathione. These data may suggest a novel role of glutathione in regulation of metabolic function of hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdolamir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Allameh
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmadi-Ashtiani
authors.forename: Mohammad Sajad
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Emami Aleagha
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rastegar
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008715:Methionine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013454:Sulfoxides / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013454:Sulfoxides; C000594507:buthionine sulfoxide; D008715:Methionine; D005978:Glutathione; D000111:Acetylcysteine
keywords: differentiation; glutathione redox status; hepatocyte metabolism; mesenchymal stem cells; reactive oxygen species