NH₄Cl affects the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hepatocytes

We intended to explore whether NH₄Cl influences the viability and regulates the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hepatocytes. The Chang liver cell line was used and cultured with different concentrations of NH₄Cl (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 50 mmol/L) for 12, 24, and 48 h. The viability of hepatocytes was detected by MTT assay. The mRNA and protein expression level was analyzed with qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. NH₄Cl concentration significantly affects the viability of hepatocytes. With the increase of NH₄Cl concentration, the viability of hepatocytes was decreased, accordingly. The mRNA and protein expression of Wnt1, β-catenin, and cyclin D was significantly increased after treatment with low concentrations of NH₄Cl as compared with the control group, whereas their expression levels were decreased after treatment with high concentrations of NH₄Cl. The mRNA and protein expression of Wnt1, β-catenin, and cyclin D was also significantly increased after treatment with NH₄Cl for a short period as compared with the control group, whereas their expression levels were decreased after treatment with NH₄Cl for a long period. In addition, we found NH₄Cl treatment significantly reversed the results after RNA silencing of Wnt1 in hepatocytes. NH₄Cl influences the viability of hepatocytes and affects the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hepatocytes.