[Role of NF-κB in the protective effects of L-carnitine against oxidative injury in hepatocytes].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the protective effects of L-carnitine( LC) against hydrogen peroxide( H_2O_2)-induced injury in hepatocytes were related to nuclear factor-kappa B( NF-κB). METHODS: CCK-8 and lactate dehydrogenase( LDH)methods were used to detect the influences of NF-κB inhibitors on the cell damage induced by H_2O_2. The effects of LC on the NF-κB expressions in H_2O_2-treated HL7702 cells were determined by Western blot. The translocation of NF-κB was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay( EMSA) was used to evaluate NF-κB-DNA binding activities. RESULTS: Compared with H_2O_2 group, NF-κB inhibitor groups showed increased cell activities and decreased LDH release( P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01). Western blot and immunofluorescence staining both demonstrated that the nucleus NF-κB expressions elevated in H_2O_2 group and LC had inhibitory effect on them( P < 0. 01). LC also inhibited H_2O_2-induced increase of NF-κB-DNA binding activity inHL7702 cells. CONCLUSION: LC protects against H_2O_2-induced injury in HL7702 cells by inhibiting NF-κB activities.