Curcumin inhibits lipid peroxidation and the expression of TGF-β1 and PDGF in the liver of rats with hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate changes of the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),malondialdehyde (MDA),transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) expression in a rat hepatic fibrosis model and the effect of curcumin ,and discuss the mechanism of the prophylactic effect of curcumin on hepa tic fibrosis.METHODS: Rat models of hepatic fibrosis were established by intraperitoneally injection of carbon tetrachloride.Curcumin of 20 mg,10 mg,5mg per 100 gram weight of rat was given to these rats respectively at the same time.Normal,fibrosis model and positive groups were made as controls.After eight weeks,all rats were executed and the blood and liver were kept.Serum level of ROS was tested by chromatometry.Content of MDA in liver homogenate was tested by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method.Expressions of TGF-β1 and PDGF in liver were detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: Serum level of ROS in fibrotic group increased significantly compared with that of normal group,and which was depressed obviously in curcumin groups(P＜0.05).Content of MDA in liver of curcumin group reduced significantly compared with that of fibrotic group (P＜0.01).Expressions of TGF-β1 and PDGF in fibrotic group increased significantly compared with those of normal group,which were depressed obviously in curcumin groups (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Curcumin could inhibit expression of TGF-β1,PDGF and lipid peroxidation in liver.These may be mechanisms of curcumin preventing hepatic fibrosis.