title: Genistein decreases liver fibrosis and cholestasis induced by prolonged biliary obstruction in the rat.
abstract: Fibrosis accompanies most chronic liver disorders and is a major factor contributing to hepatic failure. Therefore, the need for an effective treatment with the aim of modifying the clinical course of this disease is evident. The aim of this work is to determine whether genistein, which has been shown to modulate the physiology and pathophysiology of liver, is able to decrease experimental liver fibrosis and cholestasis. In male Wistar rats, the common bile duct was ligated. Administration of genistein (5 microg rat-1, day-1, p.o.) began four weeks after biliary obstruction and continued for a further four weeks. The liver was used for histological and ultrastructural analysis and for collagen quantification (hydroxyproline content). The degradation of Matrigel(R) and collagen type I was determined in homogenized liver. Bilirubins and enzyme activities were measured in serum. Genistein was able to improve normal liver histology, ultrastructure, collagen content, and biochemical markers of liver damage. It also increased Matrigel(R) and collagen type I degradation. In summary, the present report shows that genistein inhibits the fibrosis and cholestasis induced by prolonged biliary obstruction in the rat. Genistein has therapeutic potential against liver fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. Cuernavaca, Morelos. México.
authors.forename: Alfonso Leija
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Salas
authors.forename: Griselda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ocampo
authors.forename: German Garrido
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Fariña
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reyes-Esparza
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Fragoso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001651:Cholestasis, Extrahepatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019833:Genistein / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019833:Genistein