title: Liver fibrosis in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride and its reversion by luteolin.
abstract: Hepatic fibrosis is effusive wound healing process in which excessive connective tissue builds up in the liver. Because specific treatments to stop progressive fibrosis of the liver are not available, we have investigated the effects of luteolin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatic fibrosis. Male Balb/C mice were treated with CCl(4) (0.4 ml/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.), twice a week for 6 weeks. Luteolin was administered i.p. once daily for next 2 weeks, in doses of 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg of body weight. The CCl(4) control group has been observed for spontaneous reversion of fibrosis. CCl(4)-intoxication increased serum aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels and disturbed hepatic antioxidative status. Most of these parameters were spontaneously normalized in the CCl(4) control group, although the progression of liver fibrosis was observed histologically. Luteolin treatment has increased hepatic matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels and metallothionein (MT) I/II expression, eliminated fibrinous deposits and restored architecture of the liver in a dose-dependent manner. Concomitantly, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin indicated deactivation of hepatic stellate cells. Our results suggest the therapeutic effects of luteolin on CCl(4)-induced liver fibrosis by promoting extracellular matrix degradation in the fibrotic liver tissue and the strong enhancement of hepatic regenerative capability, with MTs as a critical mediator of liver regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia. robertd@medri.hr
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Domitrović
authors.forename: Hrvoje
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jakovac
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tomac
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sain
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000473:pathology; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D047311:Luteolin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D005100:Expectorants; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; C544013:alpha-smooth muscle actin, mouse; D014801:Vitamin A; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D005978:Glutathione; D015032:Zinc; D047311:Luteolin; D006909:Hydroxyproline