These results implicate MIF and CD74 as possible
targets in the treatment of human chronic liver diseases. “
“Aim: Several epidemiological studies suggest a beneficial effect of coffee consumption on the formation and progression of fibrogenic diseases, particularly of the liver. Recent data now point to a modulation of transforming growth Pexidartinib research buy factor-β (TGF-β) signaling by paraxanthine (1,7-dimethylxanthine [1,7-DMX]), the demethylated primary metabolite of caffeine Methods: Twenty adult Sprague–Dawley rats were bile duct ligated (BDL) or sham operated with or without concomitant oral 1,7-DMX (1 mM) application. Serum was investigated by standard biochemical analysis, in-house connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Liver tissue was stained using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Sirius-red staining. Whole liver lysates, primary rat hepatocytes (PC) and hepatic
stellate cells (HSC) were investigated by CTGF, and total selleck compound Smad2/3 Western blot analysis, CTGF reporter gene assay or an in-house malondialdehyde ELISA. Results: The in vitro 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of 1,7-DMX was 0.95 mM by for CTGF promoter activity and protein expression in PC and 1.25 mM for protein expression in HSC. Oral 1,7-DMX application (1 mM) attenuated cholestatic hepatocellular injury in vivo as determined Idoxuridine by biochemical serum analysis and reduced intercellular collagen deposition in the cholestatic rat liver (HE- and Sirius-red staining). Western Blot analysis of whole liver lysates revealed a reduction of intrahepatic concentrations of Smad2/3 and CTGF following oral 1,7-DMX intake. However, serum CTGF concentrations were not reduced
in 1,7-DMX treated BDL rats. Oral 1,7-DMX furthermore led to a reduction of intrahepatic lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde concentrations) as markers of oxidative stress in BDL rats. Conclusion: Our pilot study warrants further studies of 1,7-DMX as a potential new drug to fight fibrotic processes, not just of the liver. “
“Blocking bile acid absorption in the intestine is an effective approach to reducing the pool of serum bile acids (SBA). Thus, inhibiting the ileal bile acid transporter ASBT is being considered as a new treatment for cholestatic liver diseases. We report the effect of SC-435, a potent, minimally absorbed ASBT inhibitor (ASBTi) on liver function parameters in a rat partial bile duct ligation (pBDL) model of cholestasis. We adapted a previously described mouse pBDL model (Heinrich et al., Surgery 2011) to create a model in HSD rats which displays key characteristics of cholestatic liver disease – markedly elevated serum bile acids and liver function markers. Rats were anesthetized with isoflurane, the common bile duct exposed by midline laparotomy and a short length of PE-10 tubing placed parallel to the bile duct.