title: Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of umbelliferone in chronic alcohol-fed rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inflammation is associated with various types of acute and chronic alcohol liver diseases. In this study, we examined whether umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin, UF) ameliorates chronic alcohol-induced liver damage by modulating inflammatory response and the antioxidant system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were fed a Liber-Decarli liquid diet containing 5% alcohol with or without UF (0.05 g/L) for 8 weeks, while normal rats received an isocaloric carbohydrate liquid diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chronic alcohol intake significantly increased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 levels and decreased interleukin 10 level; however, UF supplementation reversed the cytokines related to liver damage. UF significantly suppressed hepatic lipopolysaccharide binding protein, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B, and TNF-α gene expression increases in response to chronic alcohol intake. Masson's trichrome staining revealed that UF improved mild hepatic fibrosis caused by alcohol, and UF also significantly increased the mRNA expressions and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in liver, and thus, decreased lipid peroxide and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study indicate that UF protects against alcohol-induced liver damage by inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway and activating the antioxidant system.
authors.affiliation: Jeollanamdo Development Institute of Korean Traditional Medicine, Jeonnam, 529-851, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Ok
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Suncheon, Jeonnam, 540-950, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-In
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Suncheon, Jeonnam, 540-950, Korea.
authors.forename: Ju Ri
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Suncheon, Jeonnam, 540-950, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwon-Il
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Department of Bakery & Barista, Suseong College, Daegu 706-022, Korea.
authors.forename: Myung-Joo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Sunchon National University, 255 Jungang-ro, Suncheon, Jeonnam, 540-950, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Alcohol; TLR4 signaling; antioxidant; inflammation; umbelliferone