Gliotoxin ameliorates development of fibrosis and cirrhosis in a thioacetamide rat model.
Dig Dis Sci
; 48(8): 1642-7, 2003 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12924662
ABSTRACT
Activation of hepatic stellate cells causes most of the pathological changes in cirrhosis. The fungal metabolite gliotoxin was shown to induce apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells in vitro. We examined whether gliotoxin may prevent or reverse liver fibrosis in a rat model of thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis, and whether gliotoxin administration in vivo causes apoptosis of activated stellate cells. Gliotoxin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in liver fibrosis in rats, but did not improve liver functions. We observed a significant reduction in the numbers of activated hepatic stellate cells in the gliotoxin-treated rats. Gliotoxin administration also resulted in parenchymal apoptosis of hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. In conclusion, gliotoxin reduces hepatic fibrosis, an effect accompanied by reduction of the numbers of activated hepatic stellate cells in the liver.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Gliotoxina
/
Cirrose Hepática Experimental
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Dig Dis Sci
Ano de publicação:
2003
Tipo de documento:
Article