Biocharacterization of Heat Shock Protein 90 in Acetaminophen-Treated Livers Without Conspicuous Drug Induced Liver Injury

Background/aims: Acetaminophen (APAP) refers to a medication used to manage pain and fever symptoms. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is to be expressed during various stresses, such as wound healing and tissue remodeling. Recently, it is discovered that Hsp90 is a potential modifier of cytogenesis. In comparison to clinical references of liver damage, this study was designed to assess the potential bioeffect of Hsp90 in APAP-treated livers without conspicuous drug induced liver injury (DILI).

Methods: In our current study, human plasma samples of APAP-used patients were collected for biochemical assays in clinical parameters. Adult male mice were used to investigate the biocharacterization of Hsp90 in APAP-treated livers through serological tests and immunoassays. Further, a mouse liver cell strain was employed in assessment of bioeffect of APAP on hepatocellular Hsp90 expression.

Results: Correspondingly, the clinical data showed APAP-administered patients resulted in increased Hsp90 levels in serum when compared to other clinical parameters of liver injury. In adult mice study, APAP-treated livers showed unchanged hepatocellular and metabolic functions, as highlighted in biochemical analysis and immunoassay. Notably, Hsp90 expression in APAP-treated mice were elevated in the serum and liver samples. In quantitative western blot assay, the present data suggested that hepatocellular Hsp90 level was up-regulated followed by APAP treatment. In mouse cell strain study, APAP-treated liver cells had increased trend of aminotransferase contents and apoptotic counts. Further, endogenous Hsp90 expression in APAP-exposed cells was increased dose- and time-dependently.

Conclusions: In conclusion, our current findings disclose that Hsp90 biomolecule may be a potential indicator for APAP-induced inconspicuous DILI, in which it seems to be characterized with more sensitive than other diagnosis criteria.