Yisong Ding, Xiaoming Li, Ruixing Qi, Yingshi Su, Xiaoli Wang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background and aims: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism and efficacy of chelerythrine (CHE) in treating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis, with a particular focus on the nuclear factor-erythroid-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways.
Methods: Mice were induced with CCl4 for eight weeks and categorized into the control group, CCl4 model group, and CHE low (7 mg/kg/d, ig,), medium (14 mg/kg/d, ig), and high-dose (28 mg/kg/d, ig) groups with 10 animals in each group. Following CHE treatment, liver sample morphology was assessed using multiple immunohistochemistry, and serum biochemical indicators were measured. ELISA was used to determine IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α contents. Western blotting and RT-PCR were employed to analyze protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA, Col-I, fibronectin, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, GCLc, GCLm, NF-κB, p-NF-κB, IκBα, and p-IκBα. Nrf2 knockout mice were used to assess the impact of CHE on the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Results: The findings demonstrated that CHE significantly ameliorated oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and liver fibrosis in CCl4-induced mice. CHE treatment increased Nrf2 expression and its target proteins, including HO-1 and GCLc, an effect not observed in Nrf2 knockout mice. In addition, CHE reduced NF-κB expression levels.
Conclusions: These results suggest that CHE can alleviate liver fibrosis in CCl4-induced mice by modulating NF-κB/IκBα and Nrf2 signaling pathways. These findings propose CHE as a potential novel anti-liver fibrosis drug.
期刊介绍:
HISTOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY is a peer-reviewed international journal, the purpose of which is to publish original and review articles in all fields of the microscopical morphology, cell biology and tissue engineering; high quality is the overall consideration. Its format is the standard international size of 21 x 27.7 cm. One volume is published every year (more than 1,300 pages, approximately 90 original works and 40 reviews). Each volume consists of 12 numbers published monthly online. The printed version of the journal includes 4 books every year; each of them compiles 3 numbers previously published online.