Open AccessLevistilide A reverses rat hepatic fibrosis by suppressing angiotensin II‑induced hepatic stellate cells activation
Author(s) -
Shu Li,
Wei Zhao,
Zhenzhen Zhao,
Baohua Cheng,
Shuang Li,
Chenghai Liu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
molecular medicine reports
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.727
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1791-3004
pISSN - 1791-2997
DOI - 10.3892/mmr.2020.11326
Subject(s) - hepatic stellate cell , hepatic fibrosis , angiotensin ii , downregulation and upregulation , endocrinology , medicine , fibrosis , ccl4 , mapk/erk pathway , western blot , biology , chemistry , receptor , signal transduction , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , carbon tetrachloride , organic chemistry , gene
The renin angiotensin system (RAS) serves an important role in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of levistilide A (Lev A) on hepatic fibrosis via regulation of RAS. The effects of Lev A on the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were measured using a 5‑ethynyl‑2'‑deoxyuridine assay, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. The in vivo anti‑hepatic fibrosis effect of Lev A was examined using a CCL4‑induced rat fibrosis model. Lev A significantly prohibited angiotensin (Ang) II‑induced proliferation of HSCs, and overexpression of smooth muscle α‑actin (α‑SMA) and F‑actin in HSCs. Lev A partly reversed Ang II‑induced angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) upregulation and ERK and c‑Jun phosphorylation. In CCL4‑induced hepatic fibrosis rats, Lev A treatment significantly decreased the expression of collagen, α‑SMA and hydroxyproline in rat liver, and improved liver functions. Lev A treatment also significantly inhibited the CCL4‑induced increase in plasma Ang II, and upregulation of AT1R and phosphorylated ERK in rat liver. In conclusion, Lev A is a potential agent for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis by suppressing Ang II/AT1R/ERK/c‑Jun activation in HSCs.