Effect of B-hydroxy-B-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on mitophagy during liver regeneration

Abstract

Partial hepatectomy is a technique that consists of resection of part of the liver in order to induce organ regeneration without causing damage to the remaining tissue. The liver is unique in its regenerative capacity, being able to expand its mass in order to keep meeting the body's metabolic needs. However, for regenerative processes to take place, abundant ATP is required in order to sustain the energy consumption of cell proliferation, a factor that can be impaired during resection by partial hepatectomy due to mitochondrial damage, significantly reducing the availability of ATP. The stress present in the early stage of the liver regeneration process stimulates mitophagy, a selective form of autophagy, responsible for the degradation of damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria in order to maintain a healthy mitochondrial network for energy supply. Thus, ²-hydroxy-²-methyl butyrate (HMB) gained popularity as a dietary supplement capable of modulating cellular pathways associated with mitophagy and autophagy. Some studies have shown it to be able to improve mitochondrial function by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, in addition to being related to ubiquitin-proteasome regulation. Thus, the project aims to investigate the effects of HMB supplementation on the mitophagy pathway during the liver regeneration process in wild mice that underwent partial hepatectomy.(AU)