Role of vitamin A in liver fibrosis.
The relationship between vitamin A and liver fibrosis was studied with a CCl4-induced fibrosis model in rats. Depending on the time of administration, vitamin A can potentiate or reduce fibrosis: when present during CCl4-treatment parenchymal cell damage and fibrosis were enhanced, whereas vitamin A post-treatment strongly reduced fibrosis. Enhanced fibrosis was also found in rats with low hepatic retinoid levels. Administration of beta-carotene during CCl4-treatment reduced several signs of fibrosis. The notion that liver retinoids play an important role in hepatic fibrogenesis is discussed.
Knook
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DL
TNO Institute of Ageing and Vascular Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Bosma
A
A
Seifert
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WF
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D019207:beta Carotene
D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride