Protective effects of caffeine against palmitate-induced lipid toxicity in primary rat hepatocytes is associated with modulation of adenosine receptor A1 signaling

Johanna C. Arroyave-Ospina; Manon Buist-Homan; Martina Schmidt; Han Moshage

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (Sep 2023)

Protective effects of caffeine against palmitate-induced lipid toxicity in primary rat hepatocytes is associated with modulation of adenosine receptor A1 signaling

Johanna C. Arroyave-Ospina,
Manon Buist-Homan,
Martina Schmidt,
Han Moshage

Affiliations

Johanna C. Arroyave-Ospina: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Correspondence to: University Medical Center of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands.
Manon Buist-Homan: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Martina Schmidt: Department Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, GRIAC, University Medical Center Groningen University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Han Moshage: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 165
p. 114884

Abstract

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Background: Epidemiological evidence has shown an association between coffee consumption and reduced risk for chronic liver diseases, including metabolic-dysfunction-associated liver disease (MALFD). Lipotoxicity is a key cause of hepatocyte injury during MAFLD. The coffee component caffeine is known to modulate adenosine receptor signaling via the antagonism of adenosine receptors. The involvement of these receptors in the prevention of hepatic lipotoxicity has not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to explore whether caffeine protects against palmitate-induced lipotoxicity by modulating adenosine receptor signaling. Methods: Primary hepatocytes were isolated from male rats. Hepatocytes were treated with palmitate with or without caffeine or 1,7DMX. Lipotoxicity was verified using Sytox viability staining and mitochondrial JC-10 staining. PKA activation was verified by Western blotting. Selective (ant)agonists of A1AR (DPCPX and CPA, respectively) and A2AR (istradefyline and regadenoson, respectively), the AMPK inhibitor compound C, and the Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitor Rp8CTP were used. Lipid accumulation was verified by ORO and BODIPY 453/50 staining. Results: Caffeine and its metabolite 1,7DMX prevented palmitate-induced toxicity in hepatocytes. The A1AR antagonist DPCPX also prevented lipotoxicity, whereas both the inhibition of PKA and the A1AR agonist CPA (partially) abolished the protective effect. Caffeine and DPCPX increased lipid droplet formation only in palmitate-treated hepatocytes and decreased mitochondrial ROS production. Conclusions: The protective effect of caffeine against palmitate lipotoxicity was shown to be dependent on A1AR receptor and PKA activation. Antagonism of A1AR also protects against lipotoxicity. Targeting A1AR receptor may be a potential therapeutic intervention with which to treat MAFLD.

Published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

ISSN: 0753-3322 (Print); 1950-6007 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: France
LCC subjects: Medicine: Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/biomedicine-and-pharmacotherapy

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