Welcome to Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics,Today is Chinese

Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics ›› 2026, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (9): 1162-1172.doi: 10.12092/j.issn.1009-2501.2026.09.002

Previous Articles    

Mechanism of stem cell exosome-mediated repair of hepatocyte injury via mitochondrial and fatty acid metabolism

Xinxin YIN1(), Changpeng XIE1, Xuejing LI1, Liping ZHANG1, Zhanhai SU1, Haiyan WANG1, Qiong WU1, Yuanming PAN2,*(), Juan AN1,*()   

  1. 1. Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, Qinghai, China
    2. Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 101149, China
  • Received:2025-10-27 Revised:2026-03-11 Online:2026-09-26 Published:2026-10-08
  • Contact: Yuanming PAN,Juan AN E-mail:xinxin991209@163.com;peterfpan2020@mail.ccmu.edu.cn;anjuan@qhu.edu.cn

Abstract:

AIM: To investigate the metabolic mechanism by which umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell exosomes repair CCl4-induced acute liver injury and to analyze the role of key metabolites in regulating the repair process. METHODS: The experiment was divided into three groups: the CCl4 group, the CCl4+low-dose exosome group, and the CCl4+high-dose exosome group. Cell viability of HL-7702 cells, as well as levels of AST, ALT, and MDA, were measured. Targeted metabolomics analysis was performed to identify differential metabolites between the CCl4 group and the CCl4+exosome group. The co-localization relationship between exosomes and the nucleus or mitochondria in HL-7702 cells was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Mitochondrial structural changes in each group were examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Exosomes significantly reversed the decline in cell viability induced by 25 mmol/L CCl4. Additionally, exosomes markedly reduced AST, ALT, and MDA levels. A total of 73 significantly differential metabolites were identified between the CCl4 group and the CCl4+exosome group, including glycodeoxycholic acid and tetradecanedioic acid. Fluorescence staining revealed co-localization of exosomes with both the nucleus and mitochondria. CONCLUSION: Exosomes significantly reversed the abnormal levels of AST, ALT, and MDA induced by CCl4 in HL-7702 cells and protected mitochondrial structure against oxidative stress damage. Metabolomic findings suggest that exosomes may repair hepatocyte injury by mediating mitochondrial function and fatty acid metabolism.

Key words: liver injury, exosomes, mitochondria, fatty acid metabolism, metabonomics

CLC Number: