Novel reduced heteropolyacid nanoparticles for effective treatment of drug-induced liver injury by manipulating reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and inflammatory signals

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2025 Jan 15;678(Pt B):174-187. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.08.239. Epub 2024 Sep 1.

Abstract

With the rapid advancements in biomedicine, the use of clinical drugs has surged sharply. However, potential hepatotoxicity limits drug exploitation and widespread usage, posing serious threats to patient health. Hepatotoxic drugs disrupt liver enzyme levels and cause refractory pathological damage, creating a challenge in the application of diverse first-line drugs. The activation and deterioration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and inflammatory signals are key pathological mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Herein, a novel reduced heteropolyacid nanoparticle (RNP) has been developed, possessing high RONS-scavenging ability, strong anti-inflammatory activity, and excellent biosafety. These features enable it to swiftly restore the redox and immune balance of the liver. Intravenous administration of RNP effectively scavenged RONS storm, reversing liver oxidative stress and restoring normal mitochondrial membrane potential and function. Furthermore, by inhibiting c-Jun-N-terminal kinase phosphorylation, RNP facilitated the restoration of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-mediated endogenous antioxidant signaling, ultimately rescuing the liver function and tissue morphology in acetaminophen-induced DILI mice. Crucially, the high biocompatible RNP exhibited superior efficacy in the DILI mouse model compared to the clinical antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. This targeted therapeutic approach, tailored to address the onset and progression of DILI, offers valuable new insights into controlling the condition and restoring liver structure and function.

Keywords: Drug-induced liver injury; Inflammation; Mitochondria; RONS; Reduced heteropolyacid nanoparticles.

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / adverse effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / drug therapy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / metabolism
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Particle Size
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / pharmacology
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species* / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species* / metabolism
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species
  • Acetaminophen
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Polymers