054), whereas Pxr protein expression was significantly decreased in both Ostα+/+ and Ostα−/− mice after BDL (Fig. 4C). Small heterodimer partner (Shp) and FgfR4 mRNA levels in the liver were lower in Ostα−/− BDL mice compared to Ostα+/+ BDL mice (Fig. 4A). Consistent with total obstruction of bile flow into the intestine, both groups of BDL animals demonstrated a significant decrease in intestinal production of Fgf15 (only 6% of the levels of sham-operated animals, data not shown). The decrease in Fgf15 and Shp and the increase in Cyp7a1 suggest that, unlike the Ostα+/+ BDL mice, bile acid synthesis is actually increased in the Ostα-deficient BDL mice. This conclusion is supported by estimates of the
bile acid pool size in the BDL animals (sum of bile acids in serum, liver, kidney, and bile) that indicate AZD8055 chemical structure that Ostα−/− mice have a pool size that is 54% of the Ostα+/+ mice (Table 1), which is considerably higher than previously reported (10%-35%) in Ostα−/− mice.1, 2 Expression of key membrane transporters in the liver
and kidney was determined by QPCR and western blotting to further assess the adaptive response. In the liver of wild-type mice after BDL, there was an increase in the mRNA levels of the basolateral efflux transporter Mrp4, but no change in Mrp3 or the two canalicular apical membrane proteins Mrp2 and bile salt export pump (Bsep) (Fig. 5A). In contrast, in Ostα−/− mouse liver, Mrp 4, Mrp3, and Bsep mRNA were increased after BDL (Fig. 5A). Interestingly, sham-operated Ostα−/− mice had increased levels of Mrp2 selleck kinase inhibitor mRNA and decreased mRNA for Bsep compared to sham-operated wild-type mice (Fig. 5A). Following BDL, the increase in mRNA for Bsep in Ostα−/− 上海皓元 mice is consistent with an increase in bile acid synthesis and hepatic bile acid levels
in these animals. Western blotting of liver membrane proteins demonstrated that, in the wild-type mice, Mrp3, but not Mrp4 or Mrp2, were seen at higher levels after BDL (Fig. 5B). However, all three membrane proteins were higher after BDL in the Ostα−/− mice (Fig. 5B). In addition, although the basolateral uptake protein organic anion transport protein 1a1 (Oatp1a1) was almost undetectable after BDL in wild-type mice, it was expressed at significantly higher levels in the Ostα-deficient mice after BDL (Fig. 5B). The other bile acid uptake protein, sodium-dependent taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp), was significantly reduced in both groups of BDL mice (Fig. 5B). Although the Mrp2 mRNA level was higher in sham-operated Ostα−/− mice compared to the sham-operated wild-type mice, the protein expression for this apical transporter was very low in these sham-operated Ostα-deficient mice, suggesting instability of the protein. However, after BDL, the protein expression is increased to the wild-type level (Fig. 5B), and bilirubin concentration in the bile is significantly increased (Fig. 2C).