title: Histological and immunohistochemical effects of Curcuma longa on activation of rat hepatic stellate cells after cadmium induced hepatotoxicity.
abstract: The liver is a target for toxic chemicals such as cadmium (Cd). When the liver is damaged, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated and transformed into myofibroblast-like cells, which are responsible for liver fibrosis. Curcuma longa has been reported to exert a hepato-protective effect under various pathological conditions. We investigated the effects of C. longa administration on HSC activation in response to Cd induced hepatotoxicity. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into: group 1 (control), group 2 (Cd treated), group 3 (C. longa treated) and group 4 (Cd and C. longa treated). After 6 weeks, liver specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopy examination of histological changes and immunohistochemical localization of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) as a specific marker for activated HSC. Activated HSC with a positive αSMA immune reaction were not detected in groups 1 and 3. Large numbers of activated HSC with αSMA immune reactions were observed in group 2 in addition to Cd induced hepatotoxic changes including excess collagen deposition in thickened portal triads, interlobular septa with hepatic lobulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, a significant increase in Kupffer cells and degenerated hepatocytes. In group 4, we observed a significant decrease in HSC that expressed αSMA with amelioration of the hepatotoxic changes. C. longa administration decreased HSC activation and ameliorated hepatotoxic changes caused by Cd in adult rats.
authors.affiliation: a Histology & Cell Biology Department , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Mansoura , Egypt.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: El-Mansy
authors.affiliation: a Histology & Cell Biology Department , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Mansoura , Egypt.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mazroa
authors.affiliation: a Histology & Cell Biology Department , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Mansoura , Egypt.
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Hamed
authors.affiliation: a Histology & Cell Biology Department , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Mansoura , Egypt.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Yaseen
authors.affiliation: a Histology & Cell Biology Department , Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University , Mansoura , Egypt.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: El-Mohandes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D002104:Cadmium
keywords: Curcuma longa; cadmium; hepatic stellate cells; hepatotoxicity; histology; immunohistochemistry