| Primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the biliary epithelial cells,cholestasis,liver cirrhosis and liver failure.TAK1/JNK and TAK1/p38 signal transduction pathways are highly conserved from yeast to human.Many studies suggest that they play important roles in inflammation and fibrosis.Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from Curcuma Ionga,which is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis activities.Objective:To evaluate the roles of TAK1/JNK and TAK1/p38 signal transduction pathways in PBC and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of curcumin in treating PBC.Methods:A murine model of PBC was developed by injection of poly I:C in female C57BL/6J mice.Some were treated with curcumin(200,400 or 800 mg/kg/day) or vehicle by gavage.Some of the control mice are untreated. The levels of p-TAK1,p-JNK,p-p38 were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting.Results:the levels of p-TAK1,p-JNK,p-p38 elevated in PBC mice.The levels of p-TAK1,p-JNK,p-p38 decreased in PBC mice treated with curcumin.Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expression of p38 mainly localizes in immune cells and the biliary epithelial cells in portal areas. Conclusion:The TAK1/JNK and TAK1/p38 pathways participate in inflammation and fibrosis of PBC.Curcumin can interference the TAK1/JNK and TAK1/p38 pathways and thus help treat PBC. |
