title: Hydroxysafflor yellow A suppresses liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride with high-fat diet by regulating PPAR-γ/p38 MAPK signaling.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One approach to protect against liver fibrosis is the use of herb-derived natural compounds, such as hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA). The antifibrosis effect of HYSA against liver fibrosis has been investigated; however, its mechanisms have not yet been entirely revealed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the protective effects of HSYA on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and a high-fat diet (HFD), and to determine the mechanism of action of HSYA.
  
  
  METHODS
  CCl4 and HFD were used to mimic liver fibrosis in rats, and serum biochemical indicators were determined. The antifibrosis effects of HSYA were evaluated and its mechanisms were investigated by histopathological analysis, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, real-time-PCR, and western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HSYA reduced CCl4- and HFD-mediated liver fibrosis and ameliorated serum biochemical indicator, downregulated the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) (0.31 ± 0.03 protein, 0.59 ± 0.02 mRNA) and transformin growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (0.81 ± 0.02 protein, 0.58 ± 0.04 mRNA), and upregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) (1.57 ± 0.13 protein, 2.48 ± 0.19 mRNA) and matrix metallopeptidases-2 (MMP-2) (2.31 ± 0.16 protein, 2.79 ± 0.22 mRNA) (p < 0.01, versus model group). These effects were significantly attenuated by PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 via blocking the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate a novel role for HSYA in inhibiting CCl4- and HFD-mediated liver fibrosis, and reveal that PPAR-γ and p38 MAPK signaling play pivotal roles in the prevention of liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 and HFD.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University , Yantai, Shandong , PR China .
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: X S
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride / Q000633:toxicity; D002599:Chalcone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011809:Quinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D047495:PPAR gamma; D011809:Quinones; C085278:hydroxysafflor yellow A; D002599:Chalcone; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: CCl4; HFD; HSYA; hepatic fibrosis; herb; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ