Anti‑fibrotic effects of Acremoniumterricola milleretal mycelium on immunological hepatic fibrosis in rats

Mol Med Rep. 2014 Dec;10(6):3327-33. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2604. Epub 2014 Sep 30.

Abstract

Acremoniumterricola milleretal mycelium (AMM) exerts numerous protective effects on organs, and has been used in Chinese herb prescriptions to treat refractory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AMM on immunological hepatic fibrosis induced by porcine serum (PS) in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered 0.5 ml sterile PS by intraperitoneal injections twice a week for 18 weeks. AMM (175, 350 or 700 mg/kg) and colchicine (0.1 mg/kg) were administered intragastrically each day until the rats were sacrificed. PS administration resulted in marked hepatic fibrosis, as assessed by increased oxidative stress and hepatic collagen content, as well as α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) expression. AMM significantly reduced liver damage and fibrosis. In addition, AMM decreased the elevation in hydroxyproline, hyaluronic acid, laminin and procollagen type III; increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase; decreased α‑SMA expression; and eliminated hepatic collagen deposits. Furthermore, AMM inhibited Smad2/3 phosphorylation and Smad7 expression. These results indicate that AMM is able to reduce oxidative stress, inhibit collagen synthesis and block the transforming growth factor‑β/Smad signaling pathway in a dose‑dependent manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acremonium / chemistry*
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Collagen Type III / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism
  • Hydroxyproline / metabolism
  • Laminin / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Swine

Substances

  • Actins
  • Collagen Type III
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Laminin
  • Plant Extracts
  • Smad Proteins
  • smooth muscle actin, rat
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Collagen
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Hydroxyproline