PPARα agonist fenofibrate attenuates iron-induced liver injury in mice by modulating the Sirt3 and β-catenin signaling

Iron accumulation is frequently associated with chronic liver diseases. However, our knowledge on how iron contributes to the liver injury is limited. Aberrant Wnt/beta-catenin signaling is a hallmark of several hepatic pathologies. We recently reported that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) agonist, fenofibrate, prevents iron-induced oxidative stress and beta-catenin signaling by chelating the iron. Sirtuin3 (Sirt3), a type of NAD (+)-dependent deacetylase, that plays a critical role in metabolic regulation was found to prevent ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) by normalizing the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. In the present study, we explored if fenofibrate prevents iron-induced liver injury by regulating the Sirt3 and b-catenin signaling. In vitro and in vivo iron treatment resulted in the downregulation of PPAR alpha, Sirt3, active beta-catenin, and its downstream target gene c-Myc in the mouse liver. Pharmacological activation of Sirt3, both in vitro and in vivo, by Honokiol (HK), a known activator of Sirt3, abrogated the inhibitory effect of iron overload on active beta-catenin expression and prevented the iron-induced upregulation of alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA) and TGF beta expression. Intrinsically, PPAR alpha knockout mice showed significant downregulation of hepatic Sirt3 levels. In addition, treatment of iron overload mice with PPAR alpha agonist fenofibrate reduced hepatic iron accumulation and prevented iron-induced downregulation of liver Sirt3 and active beta-catenin, mitigating the progression of fibrosis. Thus, our results establish a novel link between hepatic iron and PPAR alpha, Sirt3, and beta-catenin signaling. Further exploration on the mechanisms by which fenofibrate ameliorates iron-induced liver injury likely has significant therapeutic impact on iron-associated chronic liver diseases. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Hepatic intracellular iron accumulation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic liver diseases. In this study, we identified a novel mechanism involved in the progression of fibrosis. Excess iron accumulation in liver caused downregulation of PPAR alpha-Sirt3-Wnt signaling leading to fibrosis. This work has significant translational potential as PPAR alpha agonist fenofibrate could be an attractive therapeutic drug for the treatment of liver disorders associated with iron overload.

Automated summary

Excessive hepatic iron accumulation leads to downregulation of PPARα-Sirt3-Wnt signaling pathway and promotes fibrosis progression. The PPARα agonist fenofibrate shows potential as a therapeutic drug for liver disorders associated with iron overload.