Study Of Prophylactic Effect And Mechanism Of Curcumin On Hepatic Fibrosis

ObjectiveTo investigate prophylactic effect of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis and discuss the relationship between the prophylactic effect and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC).MethodsRat models of hepatic fibrosis were established by intraperitoneally injection of tetrachloride. Curcumin of 20 mg, 10 mg, 5mg per 100 gram weight of rat were given to these rats respectively at the same time. Normal, fibrotic and positive groups were made as controls. After eight weeks, all the rats were executed and the blood were kept for detecting ALT, AST, HA, PC-Ⅲ, TGF-β, TNF-α. Left livers were extirpated for pathologic examination including H. E and Masson stains. Grade of hepatic fibrosis were evaluated according to SSS system. Activated HSC was detected by α -SMA immuohistochemistry stain. HSC apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL).ResultsSerum levels of ALT, AST, HA, PC-Ⅲ, TGF-β, TNF-α of fibrotic group increased significantly compared with normal group, which were depressed obviously in curcumin groups (P<0. 05) . Staining of H. E and Masson showed that degree of hepatic fibrosis in curcumin group was improved obviouslycompared with fibrotic group, and the score of hepatic fibrosis in curcumin group reduced significantly. Aactivated HSC increased significantly in fibrotic group compared with normal group, and few apoptotic HSC were detected. However, less activated HSC and more apoptotic HSC were detected in curcumin group compared with fibrotic group. These effects were dose-dependent.Conclusions1. Curcumin could prevent rat hepatic fibrosis and improve hepatic functions;2. Curcumin could inhibit activation and proliferation of HSC, and induce apoptosis of HSC;3. Prophylactic effect of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis was related to inhibiting activation and proliferation of HSC and inducing apoptosis of HSC.