Laila A. Eissa
Mansoura University, Eygpt
Title: Hepatoprotective effect of curcumin on hepatocellular carcinoma through autophagic and apoptic pathways
Biography
Biography: Laila A. Eissa
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II), and Sequestosome-1 (SQSTM1) are proteins that can be used as markers for autophagic pathway. Bcl-2 is a protein that is reported to be inversely correlated with apoptosis. We aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on liver inflammation and fibrosis up to the first dysplastic stage of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by Thioacetamide (TAA) in rats and clarified the effects of curcumin on LC3-II, SQSTM1, and Bcl-2.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 4 groups: Control group and 3 groups received TAA 200 mg/kg i.p. twice weekly for 18 weeks: TAA group, Curcumin low-dose group, Curcumin high-dose group. Oxidative stress markers as hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured by colorimetric methods. Hepatic SQSTM1 concentration was measured by ELISA, and gene expression levels of Bcl-2, and LC3-II was measured by RT-PCR. We also investigated the In vitro effect of curcumin on HepG2 cells viability through MTT assay, and the involvement of autophagy in this effect.
Curcumin increased the survival percent in rats, decreased α-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration, and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and increased serum albumin concentration. Curcumin also caused a significant reduction in oxidative stress in liver, inhibited apoptosis, and induced autophagy. In vitro, It was found that curcumin decreased HepG2 cells viability and the concentration of SQSTM1.
In conclusion, curcumin leads to protection against TAA induced HCC through activating autophagic pathway and inhibiting apoptosis. Also, The antioxidant activity of curcumin almost prevents liver fibrosis.