Lactoferrin protects against chemical-induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting stellate cell activation

THUIR > College of Agriculture > Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology > Periodical Articles > Item 310901/24790

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://140.128.103.80:8080/handle/310901/24790

Title:	Lactoferrin protects against chemical-induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting stellate cell activation
Authors:	Tung, Y.-T.;Tang T.-Y.;Chen, H.-L.;Yang, S.-H.;Chong, K.-Y.;Cheng, W.T.K.;Chen, C.-M.
Contributors:	Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Tunghai University
Keywords:	dimethylnitrosamine;hepatic stellate cells;lactoferrin;liver fibrosis
Date:	2014
Issue Date:	2014-05-30T02:37:40Z (UTC)
Abstract:	Liver diseases, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, chemical intoxication, viral hepatitis infection, and autoimmune disorders, are a significant health issue because they can develop into liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Lactoferrin (LF), a siderophilic protein with 2 iron-binding sites, has been demonstrated to possess a multitude of biological functions, including antiinflammation, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects, as well as immunomodulatory-enhancing functions. In the current study, we induced hepatotoxicity in rats with dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) to establish a situation that would enable us to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of LF against hepatic injury. Our results showed that DMN-induced hepatic pathological damage significantly decreased the body weight and liver index, increased the mRNA and protein levels of collagen α-1(I) and α-smooth muscle actin, and increased the hydroxyproline content. However, treatment with LF significantly increased body weight and liver index, decreased the mRNA and protein levels of collagen α-1(I) and α-smooth muscle actin, and suppressed the hydroxyproline content when compared with the DMN-treated group. Liver histopathology also showed that low-dose LF (100 mg/kg of body weight) or high-dose LF (300 mg/kg of body weight) could significantly reduce the incidences of liver lesions induced by DMN. These results suggest that the LF exhibits potent hepatoprotection against DMN-induced liver damage in rats and that the hepatoprotective effects of LF may be due to the inhibition of collagen production and to stellate cell activation. ? 2014 American Dairy Science Association.
Relation:	Journal of Dairy Science
Appears in Collections:	[Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology] Periodical Articles

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