Hepatoprotection of emodin and Polygonum multiflorum against CCl4-induced liver injury

Context: Polygonum multiflorum is known as a medicinal plant. It has been used as a folk medicine which showed antioxidative property.

Objective: Protective effects of the water extracts (w/v:1/10) from fresh P. multiflorum (WEP) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in rats were investigated.

Materials and methods: CCl₄ was used for inducing liver damage of SD rats, and WEP and emodin were fed for eight consecutive weeks.

Results: We found that emodin levels in fresh WEP was higher than that in ripening WEP. Rats were administered WEP and emodin, the main active compound, for 56 consecutive days. WEP significantly lowered the serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and reduced the generation of malonaldehyde. Treatment with WEP recovered glutathione S-transferase and catalase activity in rats as compared to treatment with CCl₄ alone. In addition, serum tumor necrosis factor-α, an inflammatory marker, was found to decrease in rats treated with WEP. In histopathological evaluation, fatty degeneration and necrosis were found to be significantly decreased in the CCl₄ plus WEP treatment group.

Discussion and conclusion: WEP may be effective in attenuating liver damage by reducing lipid peroxidation as well as by positively modulating inflammation.     

丹参粉针剂对四氯化碳致大鼠慢性肝纤维化的保护作用

目的:探讨丹参粉针剂对四氯化碳(CCl_4)致大鼠慢性肝纤维化的保护作用。方法:SD大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、阳性对照组(葡醛内酯注射液26．5 mg·kg~(-1))和丹参粉针剂低、中、高剂量组(100,250, 500 mg·kg~(-1)),除正常组外的其余各组动物先在饮水中加入350 mg·L~(-1)的苯巴比妥诱导2周,然后腹腔注射CCl_4 0．04 mL·kg~(-1)建立慢性肝纤维化模型,每周1次,共注射8周。于注射CCl_4第5周时,各组分别腹腔注射生理氯化钠溶液或相应剂量的药物,在给药2,4,6周后测定血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)活性和前胶原肽(PIIIP)、层黏连蛋白(LN)、透明质酸(HA)的含量。结果:丹参粉针剂低、中、高剂量组和阳性对照组大鼠血清中ALT,AST活性和PIIIP,LN,HA含量均比模型组明显降低(P＜0．01～P＜0．05)。结论:丹参粉针剂对CCl_4致大鼠慢性肝纤维化具有保护作用。     

Oltipraz therapy in patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial

Objectives Oltipraz, a cancer chemopreventive agent, has an anticirrhotic effect in animals. A phase II trial was designed to investigate the preliminary efficacy of oltipraz therapy in liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Methods Of 83 patients who were randomized to receive placebo, oltipraz 60 mg bid or oltipraz 90 mg qd for 24 weeks, 68 completed the study without any major protocol violation. Pre‐ and post‐treatment liver biopsies, and blood fibrosis markers were assessed. Key findings Twenty‐four weeks of oltipraz treatment showed no significant differences in the proportions of patients showing an improvement in histological outcomes, including Ishak fibrosis score. In the oltipraz 60 mg bid group, there was a trend of decreases in hepatic collagen area and plasma transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1, a blood fibrosis marker) levels from baseline to week 24. In the per‐protocol population (n = 68), decreases in plasma TGF‐β1 correlated with those in the Ishak fibrosis score, suggesting that circulating TGF‐β1 serves a possible indicator for fibrosis treatment. Conclusions No significant differences in liver histological outcomes were seen among the three treatment groups in this 24‐week pilot study. Our finding indicates an association between TGF‐β1 repression and improvement in the histological index of fibrosis.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase is not essential for the development of fibrosis and liver damage induced by CCl4 in mice

The aim of the present work was to investigate the role of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) in CCl(4)-induced cirrhosis by utilizing iNOS knock out mice (iNOS(-/-)). Cirrhosis was produced by i.p. administration of CCl(4) (1 ml kg(-1) of body weight) dissolved in olive oil three times a week for 3 months to iNOS(-/-) or iNOS(+/+) (wild type) mice; appropriate olive oil controls were performed. Nitrite plus nitrate levels were lower in iNOS(-/-) compared with iNOS(+/+) mice, but CCl(4) did not produce a significant effect in any mice. Reduced (GSH) glutathione was increased in iNOS(-/-) mice receiving vehicle and in both groups receiving CCl(4); lipid peroxidation increased significantly in iNOS(+/+) but not in iNOS(-/-) mice. Bilirubins, alanine aminotransferase and collagen (measured as the hepatic hydroxyproline content) were increased significantly by the chronic intoxication with CCl(4) in both iNOS(-/-) and iNOS(+/+) mice; importantly there was no difference between these groups. This study clearly suggests that NO derived from iNOS does not participate in cholestasis, necrosis or fibrosis induced by CCl(4) in the mice. The present results are in disagreement with several studies indicating a beneficial or detrimental effect of this molecule utilizing different experimental approaches and in agreement with some studies indicating that NO does not affect liver damage in some models. It must be pointed out that this is the first report in iNOS knock out mice utilizing the chronic model of intoxication with CCl(4); thus, comparisons with other models or approaches are difficult to reconcile.     

青蒿琥酯抗四氯化碳致大鼠肝纤维化的作用

青蒿素类主要用于治疗疟疾,对矽肺、烧伤后增生性瘢痕也有防治作用[1,2],尚未见其抗肝纤维化的报道.本研究采用CCl4 诱发大鼠肝纤维化模型,观察青蒿琥酯(Artesunate)的作用.     

夏枯草硫酸多糖对四氯化碳致大鼠肝纤维化的干预作用

摘要： 目的 探讨夏枯草硫酸多糖 （PVSP） 对四氯化碳 （CCl4 ） 致大鼠纤维化的干预作用。方法 采用 CCl4-橄榄油腹腔注射诱导建立 SD 大鼠肝纤维化模型, 将造模成功的大鼠随机分成 3 组, 每组 10 只, 分别为模型组 （Model 组）、 PVSP 高剂量组 （PVSP-H 组： 400 mg/kg） 和 PVSP 低剂量组 （PVSP-L 组： 100 mg/kg）。并设空白对照组 （Blank 组） 和溶剂对照组 （Solvent 组）。采用全自动生化分析仪测定血清丙氨酸转氨酶 （ALT） 和天冬氨酸转氨酶 （AST） 的含量, HE 和天狼猩红染色比较炎症及肝纤维化程度; 采用 qRT-PCR 和免疫组织化学分析肝组织中Ⅰ型胶原 （Col- Ⅰ）、 平滑肌肌动蛋白 （α-SMA） mRNA 和蛋白的表达量。结果 Solvent 组大鼠血清中 ALT、 AST 及肝组织中 Col-Ⅰ、 α-SMA mRNA 和蛋白与 Blank 组相比差异均无统计学意义; 与 Model 组相比, PVSP 能显著降低血清 ALT 和 AST （P＜0.05）; HE 和天狼猩红染色结果显示 PVSP 能减轻炎症及纤维化程度; qRT-PCR 和免疫组织化学结果显示 PVSP 明显降低大鼠肝脏内 Col-Ⅰ、 α-SMA mRNA 和蛋白表达 （P＜0.05）。结论 PVSP 具有减轻大鼠肝纤维化作用, 其机制可能与抑制Col-Ⅰ、 α-SMA 表达, 减少细胞外基质的生成并促进细胞外基质的降解有关。     

Resveratrol and trimethylated resveratrol protect from acute liver damage induced by CCl4 in the rat

The importance of hydroxyl groups in the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of resveratrol was investigated. To achieve this, resveratrol or its trimethylated analog were administered (10 mg kg(-1), p.o.) to male Wistar rats and liver damage was induced by acute administration of CCl4 (4 g kg(-1), p.o.); appropriate controls were performed. The animals were killed 24 h after CCl4 intoxication. The amount of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver was not modified by any treatment; interestingly, the GSH/GSSG (oxidized glutathione) ratio decreased in the groups receiving CCl4 and resveratrol associated with an increase in GSSG. In blood GSH and the GSH/GSSG ratio were decreased by CCl4; both effects were completely prevented by any of the compounds tested. Lipid peroxidation and the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were increased significantly after CCl4. Resveratrol partially prevented these increases and surprisingly, trimethylated resveratrol completely prevented the increase of these markers. Both compounds partially but significantly prevented the increase in the activity of alanine aminotransferase; this result agrees with observations in the histological analysis. Both tested compounds administered alone produced no effect. The results of the present study suggest that OH groups are important for the antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of the molecule of resveratrol; nevertheless, these effects can be improved by replacing hydrogen by a methyl in these groups. The differences in the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of these compounds could be due to the possibility that the trimethylated resveratrol acts like a prodrug, prolonging, probably, the half-life of the original compound.     

基于1H—NMR代谢组学技术寻找CCl4致大鼠急性肝损伤的代谢标志物

目的采用核磁（1H．NMR）代谢组学技术初步探讨四氯化碳（CCl4）致大鼠急性肝损伤后血清代谢物变化规律。方法SD大鼠随机分为空白、模型两组,模型组ip40％CCl4植物油溶液造成急性肝损伤模型,空白组注射等体积的植物油,造模24h后股动脉取血,常规肝脏病理切片,取血前12h禁食不禁水。比色法测定血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）含量,600MHzNMR波谱仪分析血清中小分子代谢物代谢轮廓,并对数据进行多元统计分析。结果模型组中ALT的含量显著升高,肝脏病理切片显示模型组大鼠的肝组织内形成很多空泡,肝细胞变大,坏死严重,有出血和大量中性粒细胞浸润：血清1H-NMR代谢图谱中共鉴定了20个代谢物,并确认了6个与CCl4致肝损伤相关的标志物。结论常规血生化指标和肝病理切片结果与代谢组学的多元统计分析结果相一致,且代谢组学可发现引起肝损伤的代谢标志物。     

Kupffer cells are responsible for liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride

Inhibition of Kupffer cells could disrupt the sequence of events leading to organ injury by damping down the fibrogenic stimulus. To elucidate the role of Kupffer cells in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, rats were treated with gadolinium chloride (GdCl(3)) and cirrhosis was induced by subchronic carbon tetrachoride (CCl(4)) administration. Carbon tetrachloride was administered three times per week for 8 weeks to male Wistar rats treated simultaneously with GdCl(3) (20 mg kg(-1), i.p. daily); appropriate controls were performed. Serum enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin concentration increased significantly by CCl(4), whereas GdCl(3) prevented completely the increase in gamma-GTP and partially prevented the increase in ALP, ALT and bilirubins (P < 0.05). Liver glycogen was depleted by CCl(4), an effect that GdCl(3) was not capable of preventing. Moreover, gadolinium by itself depleted it. Lipid peroxidation increased about 2.5-fold by administration with CCl(4), whereas GdCl(3) preserved lipid peroxidation within normal values. Hepatic collagen increased threefold after subchronic intoxication with CCl(4) (P < 0.05) whereas GdCl(3) prevented partially (P < 0.05) the increase in collagen content, as evidenced by the liver hydroxyproline content and by the histopathological analysis. The present results suggest that Kupffer cells are needed for the production of CCl(4)-induced cirrhosis, because their inactivation with GdCl(3) prevents the disease.     

丹酚酸A抗四氯化碳中毒致大鼠肝损伤和肝纤维化的作用

目的：研究丹酚酸Ａ（ＳＡＡ）抗肝损伤、肝纤维化作用．方法：采用ＣＣｌ４诱导大鼠肝损伤及肝纤维化，期间予ＳＡＡ灌胃治疗，另设秋水仙碱（Ｃｏｌ）组、丹参组作对照，６周后进行肝组织病理学和Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原免疫组化观察，肝组织羟脯氨酸（Ｈｙｄ）、丙二醛（ＭＤＡ）含量及血清ＡｌａＡＴ、ＡｓｐＡＴ和白蛋白含量测定．结果：ＳＡＡ降低血清ＡｌａＡＴ、ＡｓｐＡＴ水平及肝组织ＭＤＡ、Ｈｙｄ含量，减轻肝纤维化程度，抑制Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原在基质中沉积．其抗肝纤维化强度与Ｃｏｌ、丹参一致，对ＭＤＡ作用优于Ｃｏｌ．结论：ＳＡＡ有显著的抗肝损伤、肝纤维化作用，与抗脂质过氧化有关     

黄连素对四氯化碳诱导的小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨黄连素对四氯化碳(CCl₄)诱导的小鼠急性肝损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法 30只C57小鼠,♂,随机分为对照组、CCl₄组和黄连素组,每组10只。黄连素组在CCl₄注射前1 h腹腔注射黄连素(10 mg·kg^-1),CCl₄组和黄连素组腹腔注射CCl₄橄榄油溶液(0.5%,5 mL·kg^-1),对照组腹腔注射橄榄油溶液(0.5%,5 mL·kg^-1)。24 h后麻醉下处死小鼠,收集血清和肝脏标本,采用生化检测ALT和AST,HE染色后观察肝脏病理学形态,western blot检测JAK2和STAT3,p-JAK2和p-STAT3。RT-PCR和ELISA检测炎症因子白介素-6(IL-6)和白介素8(IL-8)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的表达和分泌。结果 与对照组相比,CCl₄组病理改变明显增加,p-JAK2、p-STAT3蛋白表达量明显增加,JAK2和STAT3表达无明显变化,IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α表达和分泌明显增加。与CCl₄组相比,黄连素组病理改变明显减轻,p-JAK2、p-STAT3表达明显减少,IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α表达和分泌也明显减少,但JAK2和STAT3表达仍无明显变化。结论 黄连素预处理可通过抑制JAK2/STAT3信号通路激活而减少炎症反应,从而减轻CCl₄诱导的急性肝损伤。     

Increasing the effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in combination with a statin in reducing liver fibrosis

It has been shown that both nilotinib as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and atorvastatin as a rho‐kinase inhibitor, have antifibrotic effects. Therefore, considering the relationship between these two pathways, this study aimed to investigate the effects of their co‐treatment against hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and liver fibrosis. For this purpose, the activation of HSCs coincided with these therapies. Also, liver fibrosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) was induced in male Wistar rats and treated simultaneously with these compounds. The expression of alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), Ras homolog gene family, and member A (RhoA)/Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) in HSCs were measured. The expression of transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGF‐β1), its receptor (TβRII), CTGF, and platelets derived growth factor (PDGF), in the livers, were also investigated, all by real‐time PCR and western blot analysis. Also, histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed to evaluate changes in liver fibrosis during treatment. The results indicated the down‐regulation of RhoA/ROCK, CTGF, and α‐SMA, and inhibition of the HSCs activation toward myofibroblasts. The results also showed that the combined use of atorvastatin and nilotinib has significantly higher inhibitory effects. The antifibrotic effects of atorvastatin and nilotinib co‐administration were also observed by histopathologic and immunohistochemical observations, and inhibiting the expression of TGF‐β1, TβRII, CTGF, and PDGF. Taken together, this study revealed that co‐administration of nilotinib–atorvastatin has novel antifibrotic effects, by inhibiting RhoA/ROCK, and CTGF pathway. Therefore, the importance of the common pathway of RhoA/ROCK and CTGF, in reducing fibrosis may almost be concluded.     

Coffee attenuates fibrosis by decreasing the expression of TGF‐β and CTGF in a murine model of liver damage

This study was performed to evaluate the antifibrotic properties of coffee in a model of liver damage induced by repeated administration of thioacetamide (TAA) in male Wistar rats. In this study, cirrhosis was induced by chronic TAA administration and the effects of co‐administration of conventional caffeinated coffee or decaffeinated coffee (CC, DC, respectively) for 8 weeks were evaluated. TAA administration elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (AP), γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GTP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), liver lipid peroxidation, collagen content, depleted liver glycogen and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Additionally increased levels of a number of proteins were detected including transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, 9 and 13. Coffee suppressed most of the changes produced by TAA. Histopathological analysis was in agreement with biochemical and molecular findings. These results indicate that coffee attenuates experimental cirrhosis; the action mechanisms are probably associated with its antioxidant properties and mainly by its ability to block the elevation of the profibrogenic cytokine TGF‐β and its downstream effector CTGF. Various components of coffee that have been related to such a favorable effect include caffeine, coffee oils kahweol, cafestol and antioxidant substances; however, no definite evidence for the role of these components has been established. These results support earlier findings suggesting a beneficial effect of coffee on the liver. However, more basic clinical studies must be performed to confirm this hypothesis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Salidroside protects mice against CCl4-induced acute liver injury via down-regulating CYP2E1 expression and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Salidroside (Sal), a natural phenolic compound isolated from Rhodiola sachalinensis, has been utilized as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant for centuries, however, its effects against liver injury and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Sal on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with Sal before CCl4 injection, the serum and liver tissue were collected to evaluate liver damage and molecular indices. The results showed that Sal pretreatment dose-dependently attenuated CCl4-induced acute liver injury, as indicated by lowering the activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and inhibiting hepatic pathological damage and apoptosis. In addition, Sal alleviated CCl4-primed oxidative stress and inflammatory response by restoring hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and inhibiting cytokines. Finally, Sal also down-regulated the expression of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1), and Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in the liver of mice by CCl4. Our study demonstrates that Sal exerts its hepatoprotective effects on ALI through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which might be mediated by down-regulating CYP2E1 expression and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.     

Potential antifibrotic effects of AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan, and/or praziquantel on acute and chronic experimental liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma mansoni

1. This study investigates the potential antifibrotic effect of losartan, AT-1 receptor antagonist, and/or praziquantel (PZQ) on acute and chronic hepatic fibrosis induced by Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni). 2. Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice were in two batches (I & II), each in four groups: (i) Infected untreated; (ii) treated with losartan, starting from the 4th or 12th weeks post-infection (PI); (iii) treated with PZQ in the 7th week PI; and (iv) treated with losartan, as group (ii) plus PZQ as group (iii). Comparable groups of uninfected mice were run in parallel with infected groups. Mice of batches I and II were killed 10 and 18 weeks PI, respectively. Hepatic content of hydroxyproline (HYP), serum levels and tissue expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were determined. Parasitological, biochemical and histological parameters, which reflect disease severity and morbidity, were examined. 3. Losartan alone caused a considerable decrease in worm burden, hepatic tissue egg load with an increase in percentage of dead eggs, modulation of granuloma size and regression of inflammatory reactions, which was less obvious in the chronic stage. The best results were obtained when losartan was co-administered with PZQ, especially in the acute stage. This was revealed by a remarkable reduction in serum levels and tissue expression of MMP-2, TGF-β1 and HYP content, accompanied by conservation of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) versus the PZQ-treated group. 4. In conclusion, losartan has a promising antifibrotic action and could be introduced as a therapeutic tool with PZQ especially in acute schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.     

Pro-inflammatory effects of Dunkerque city air pollution particulate matter 2.5 in human epithelial lung cells (L132) in culture

Exposure to urban airborne particulate matter (PM) has been associated with adverse health effects. The majority of research articles published on air pollution PM relate to PM10. However, increasing emphasis and stringent regulations have been placed on PM2.5. The mechanisms for PM-induced adverse health effects are not well understood, but inflammation seems to be of importance. We focused our attention also on the capacity of air pollution PM2.5 to induce cytotoxic and inflammatory responses in human epithelial lung cells (L132) in culture. Particulate matter was collected in Dunkerque, a French seaside city characterized by the proximity of industrial activity and heavy motor vehicle traffic. Size distribution results showed that the cumulative frequency of PM2.5 was 92.15% and their specific surface area was 1 m2 g(-1). Inorganic and organic chemicals usually associated with the natural environment but also so-called anthropogenic elements were found in PM, suggesting that much of the PM was derived from wind-borne dust from the industrial complex and the heavy diesel motor vehicle. We observed PM concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects in L132 cells (LC10 = 18.84 microg PM ml(-1); LC50 = 75.36 microg PM ml(-1)). We showed that exposure to Dunkerque City's PM2.5 induced significant increases (in a concentration- and time-dependent manner) in protein secretion and/or gene expression of inflammatory cytokines (i.e. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, GM-CSF, IL-6, TGF-beta1). We hypothesized also that the occurrence of the acute inflammatory response might rely on the capacity of such air pollutants to generate oxidative species, which have been implicated in the stringent regulation of the cytokine network. Hence, we suggest that the development of inflammatory effects that worsen over time stems from the cytotoxicity in Dunkerque City's PM2.5-exposed L132 cells in culture.     

Tracking anti‐fibrotic pathways of nilotinib and imatinib in experimentally induced liver fibrosis: An insight

The tyrosine kinase inhibitors imatinib and nilotinib have been suggested to have promising antifibrotic activity in experimental models of liver fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate new pathways underlying this beneficial effect. Hepatic injury was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ for 12 weeks. During the last 8 weeks of treatment, rats were also injected daily intraperitoneally with 20 mg/kg imatinib or 20, 10 or 5 mg/kg nilotinib. At the end of treatment, effects on fibrosis were assessed by measuring serum fibrotic markers and profibrogenic cytokines, as well as by histopathological examination. Possible anti‐inflammatory effects were estimated by measuring levels of inflammatory cytokines in liver tissue. Liver expression of α‐smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 antibodies and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining techniques. Nilotinib (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased all serum fibrotic markers measured, but 20 mg/kg of either nilotinib or imatinib had limited effects. At all doses tested, nilotinib significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the CCl₄‐induced increases in tissue inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, 5 and 10 mg/kg nilotinib significantly decreased TGF‐β1 levels and tissue expression of its antibody, as well expression of PDGFRβ. In conclusion, low doses (5 and 10 but not 20 mg/kg) of nilotinib, rather than imatinib, can control hepatic fibrosis by regulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines, primarily interleukin (IL)‐1 and IL‐6. Nilotinib also controls the signalling pathways of profibrogenic cytokines by lowering TGF‐β1 levels and decreasing expression of PDGFRβ.     

Protective effect of isochlorogenic acid B on liver fibrosis in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis of mice

Liver fibrosis is a common symptom of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and a worldwide clinical issue. The miR‐122/HIF‐1α signalling pathway is believed to play an important role in the genesis of progressive fibrosis. Isochlorogenic acid B (ICAB), naturally isolated from Laggera alata, is verified to have antioxidative and hepatoprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ICAB on liver fibrosis in NASH and its potential protective mechanisms. NASH was induced in a mouse model with a methionine‐ and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet for 4 weeks, and ICAB was orally administered every day at three doses (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). Pathological results indicated that ICAB significantly improved the pathological lesions of liver fibrosis. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp), cholesterol (CHO) and triglyceride (TG) were also significantly decreased by ICAB. In addition, ICAB inhibited hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and the expressions of hepatic genes involved in liver fibrosis including LOX, TGF‐β1, MCP‐1, COL1α1 and TIMP‐1. ICAB also attenuated liver oxidative stress through Nrf2 signalling pathway. What is more, the decreased levels of miR‐122 and over‐expression of hepatic HIF‐1α could be reversed by ICAB treatment. These results simultaneously confirmed that ICAB had a significant protective effect on fibrosis in NASH by inhibiting oxidative stress via Nrf2 and suppressing multiple profibrogenic factors through miR‐122/HIF‐1α signalling pathway.     

Hepatoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 from Panax ginseng on carbon tetrachloride‐induced acute liver injury by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway in mice

Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are well known to be involved in the pathogenesis of acute liver injury. This study was performed to examine the hepatoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) against CCl₄‐induced acute liver injury, and further to elucidate the involvement of Nrf2 signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. Mice were orally administered Rg1 (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) or sulforaphane (SFN) once daily for 1 week prior to 750 μL/kg CCl₄ injection. The results showed that Rg1 markedly altered relative liver weights, promoted liver repair, increased the serum level of TP and decreased the serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP. Hepatic oxidative stress was inhibited by Rg1, as evidenced by the decrease in MDA, and increases in GSH, SOD, and CAT in the liver. Further research demonstrated that Rg1 suppressed liver inflammation response through repressing the expression levels of inflammation‐related genes including TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, COX‐2, and iNOS. In addition, Rg1 enhanced antioxidative stress and liver detoxification abilities by up‐regulating Nrf2 and its target‐genes such as GCLC, GCLM, HO‐1, NQO1, Besp, Mrp2, Mrp3, Mrp4, and down‐regulating Cyp2e1. However, the changes in Nrf2 target‐genes, as well as ameliorative liver histology induced by Rg1 were abrogated by Nrf2 antagonist all‐transretinoic acid in vivo and Nrf2 siRNA in vitro. Overall, the findings indicated that Rg1 might be an effective approach for the prevention against acute liver injury by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway.