Interferon-alpha 2b increases fibrolysis in fibrotic livers from bile duct ligated rats: possible participation of the plasminogen activator.
Interferons are known to prevent liver collagen by an antifibrogenic mechanism that involves mRNA procollagen regulation. The aim of the present work was to determine whether interferon could also decrease collagen by increasing its degradation. Fibrosis was induced in male Wistar rats by double ligation and section of the common bile duct. Interferon-alpha 2b (100,000 IU/rat s.c.) was administered to bile duct ligated rats daily after surgery for 4 weeks. Interferon increased the capacity of the liver to degrade type I and III collagens and matrigel. In addition, the plasminogen activator activity also increased. Since plasminogens are thought to be key participants in the balance of proteolytic activities that regulate extracellular matrix degradation, their elevation may also provide another antifibrotic (proteolytic) mechanism of action of interferon.
Rodríguez-Fragoso
L
L
Departamento de Gastroenterología, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México.
González
M P
MP
Muriel
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000601:surgery; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen; D010960:Plasminogen Activators