The Role of Catecholamines in Pathophysiological Liver Processes

Abstract

Over the last few years, the number of research publications about the role of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) in the development of liver diseases such as liver fibrosis, fatty liver diseases, or liver cancers is constantly increasing. However, the mechanisms involved in these effects are not well understood. In this review, we first recapitulate the way the liver is in contact with catecholamines and consider liver implications in their metabolism. A focus on the expression of the adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors by the liver cells is also discussed. Involvement of catecholamines in physiological (glucose metabolism, lipids metabolism, and liver regeneration) and pathophysiological (impact on drug-metabolizing enzymes expression, liver dysfunction during sepsis, fibrosis development, or liver fatty diseases and liver cancers) processes are then discussed. This review highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms through which catecholamines influence liver functions in order to draw benefit from the adrenergic and dopaminergic antagonists currently marketed. Indeed, as these molecules are well-known drugs, their use as therapies or adjuvant treatments in several liver diseases could be facilitated.

Lytic Cocktail Attenuates Catecholamine Surge After Severe Burns by Blocking Histamine H1 Receptor/Pka/Creb/Tyrosine Hydroxylase Signaling in Chromaffin Cells

“…1A, n = 6). Previous studies have suggested that a catecholamine surge can cause liver and lung injury (8)(9)(10)(11). A study shows that rats' hepatic steatosis is evident 6 to 8 days after burn injury (22).…”

PAMAM-Calix-Dendrimers: Second Generation Synthesis, Fluorescent Properties and Catecholamines Binding

“…In this regard, we have investigated complexing properties of the synthesized dendrimers toward a series of catecholamines. As noted above, catecholamines are markers of many diseases of the central nervous system, and they can also be used as medicines [7,45,46]. Therefore, searching compounds capable of recognition and/or binding for the delivery of catecholamines is highly relevant.…”

A Review of Psychological Stress among Students and Its Assessment Using Salivary Biomarkers

“…Additionally, HPA axis activation is crucial for the body’s catabolic processes and for supplying the organism with energy. Increased plasma cortisol concentration stimulates the liver to perform the process of gluconeogenesis and causes insulin resistance in peripheral tissues [ 19 ]. Consequently, glucocorticoids are crucial in controlling the duration of the stress response.…”

“…The results of studies on the influence of stress on serum IL-1β are contradictory, i.e., some reports found that IL-1β levels during a stressful period had increased while others found that they had decreased [ 19 , 38 , 39 ]. Most studies in this area assessed the stress response and confirmed that IL-1β responds to antigen stimulation (in vivo and in vitro), e.g., there is a stress-associated increase [ 24 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”