CREB1 and PPAR-α/γ Pathways in Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion: Route for Curcumin to Hepatoprotection

Abstract

Background: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury is a major problem that can exacerbate complications, particularly in liver trans-plantations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the cellular mechanisms of ischemia/reperfusion injury and hepatoprotection by cur-cumin. Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups as Control, Sham, I/R, and Cur+I/R. Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion was induced in I/R and Cur+I/R animals, the latter of which was also given 50 mg/kg/day of curcumin for 14 days. Liver aminotransferases and the transcription regulators of inflammation (RelA, IκB, PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, CREB1) were examined along with the histological examination. Results: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion was found to disrupt hepatic microstructure and downregulate PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and CREB1 transcripts. Curcumin supplementation in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion recovered the structural organization and promoted the hepatocyte regeneration while increasing expressions of PPARs and CREB1. RelA and IκB were found unaltered, possibly due to the crosstalk between targeted transcripts by ischemia/reperfusion and curcumin. Conclusions: In sum, PPAR-α/γ and CREB1 were involved in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion and, moreover, were detected to be stim-ulated by curcumin. Microstructural improvement, together with curcumin supplementation, was found to provide a route to hepatoprotection through PPAR and CREB pathways.