Investigating Network and Experimental Effect of Silibinin on Lipin-1 and Lipin-2 Gene Expression during Ischemia-reperfusion of the Liver in Rats.

This study aims to investigate the impact of silibinin (SILI) on the expression of the Lipin-1 and Lipin-2 genes during warm ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) of the liver. Network pharmacology was employed to identify potential targets of SILI in the context of liver inflammation and to elucidate the mechanism underlying the regulation of Lipin gene expression. The rats were allocated into four groups, each comprising eight individuals: vehicle group: These rats underwent a median laparotomy, and were administered normal saline. (2) SILI group: Rats in this group received 50 mg/kg of SILI after laparotomy. (3) I/R group: Rats in this group experienced I/R and were administered normal saline. (4) I/R+SILI group: In this group, rats were treated with SILI in conjunction with the I/R procedure. Western and real-time PCR were used to measure protein levels, and assess Lipin-1 and Lipin-2 gene expression. The analysis identified 18 shared targets between SILI (Severe Acute Liver Injury) and liver inflammation, linking them to 107 KEGG pathways, with the mTOR signaling pathway standing out as a critical connection to Lipin. Docking studies of targets in the mTOR signaling pathway revealed binding energies of -9.7 kcal/mol for PIK3CA and -10.4 kcal/mol for mTOR protein. Furthermore, the protein level and gene expression of Lipin-1 and Lipin-2 genes were significantly elevated during I/R compared to the vehicle group (P < 0.001). However, SILI was observed to reduce their expression during I/R (P < 0.05). The beneficial effects of SILI can be attributed to the modulation of Lipin-1 and Lipin-2 gene expression during I/R, which is likely one of the mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects during I/R.