Excessive production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) plays an important role in lung fibrosis, in which the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is a key process. Increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by TGFβ1 is a common pathological feature of fibrosis. In the present study, probucol and lovastatin, which are therapeutics used for hyperlipidemia and proposed to act as anti-oxidants, were examined in terms of their effect on TGFβ1-induced formation of ROS and expression of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), a myofibroblast marker, in human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1 cells). The effects of anti-oxidative enzymes and reagents including N-acetyl-L-cysteine, α-tocopherol, and lecithinized-superoxide dismutase (SOD) on TGFβ1-induced expression of αSMA were also examined. Treatment with probucol (30 μM) and lovastatin (1 μM and 3 μM), in addition to lecithinized- SOD, significantly inhibited the TGFβ1-induced formation of ROS and αSMA. Other anti-oxidants including N-acetyl-L-cysteine had marginal effects on αSMA expression under the conditions. Probucol and lovastatin, established therapeutics, may be worth trying in patients with both lung fibrosis and hypercholesterolemia.
CITATION STYLE
Matsuzawa, Y., Kawashima, T., Yamazaki, R., Yamaura, E., Makiyama, T., Fujino, H., & Murayama, T. (2011). Inhibitory effects of clinical reagents having anti-oxidative activity on transforming growth factor-β1-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin in human fetal lung fibroblasts. Journal of Toxicological Sciences, 36(6), 733–740. https://doi.org/10.2131/jts.36.733
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.