Prevention of TGF-β-induced early liver fibrosis by a maleic acid derivative antioxidant through suppression of ROS, inflammation and hepatic stellate cells activation

26Citations
Citations of this article
17Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Current anti-fibrotic effect of antioxidants in vivo is disappointing due probably to the fact that once liver fibrogenesis is established it is too advanced to be reversed by anti-oxidation mechanism. We consider antioxidant may only act on the early phase of fibrogenesis. Thus, we had previously established an early liver fibrosis animal model using an inducible expression vector (pPK9a), which contains TGF-β gene and was hydro-dynamically transferred into mice to induce a transient liver fibrosis. TGF-β1 has been well documented to up-regulate the expression of α2(1) collagen (Col 1A2) gene in the liver via the reactive oxygen species (ROS); the process triggers inflammation, leading to hepatic stellate cells (HSC) activation and liver fibrogenesis. Using our animal model and ROS, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and Col 1A2 promoter assays as screening targets, we report here that a maleic acid derivative isolated from the Antrodia camphorata mycelium strongly decreases ROS production, promoter activity of Cox-2 and Col 1A2, intracellular calcium, expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Smad4-p-Smad2/3 co-localization in cell nucleus and the DNA binding activity of Sp1. Our results suggest that the maleic acid derivative prevents liver fibrosis at an early phase both in vitro and in vivo through the inhibition of ROS, inflammation and the activation of HSC.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Yang, K. L., Chang, W. T., Hong, M. Y., Hung, K. C., & Chuang, C. C. (2017). Prevention of TGF-β-induced early liver fibrosis by a maleic acid derivative antioxidant through suppression of ROS, inflammation and hepatic stellate cells activation. PLoS ONE, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174008

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free