Suppressive effects of tritoqualine (TRQ) on the acceleration of fibrosis in the liver

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Pharmacology Vol. 40; no. suppl; p. 225
• Main Authors: Yuasa, Satoshi, Sudoh, Atsuko, Inagaki, Mieko, Umezu, Kohei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1986
• ISSN: 0021-5198; 1347-3506
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-5198(19)59420-3

Liver cirrhosis was induced by CCl_4 treatment of rats for 14 weeks (0.5 ml/kg, s.c., two times/week) to investigate the effects of TRQ on the acceleration of fibrosis in the liver. An increase in hydroxyproline (hypro) in the liver began 12 weeks after the CCl_4 treatment and a 1.9 fold increase was observed at week 14. Histamine in the liver approximately doubled at week 14. Increased numbers of mast cells were seen in the area of proliferated collagen fiber in the liver under microscopic observation. The administration of TRQ to the rats for two weeks from week 13 resulted in significant suppression of both the increase in hypro and histamine in the liver. An increase in mast cell numbers was also suppressed by TRQ. The decrease in mast cells was recognized to correspond to the decrease in hypro and histamine in the liver. It was suggested that increased mast cells participated in the biosynthesis of collagen. In addition, it was shown that TRQ was remarkably effective in suppressing the acceleration of liver fibrosis, and one of the pharmacological mechanisms of this action can be ascribed to the inhibitory effect of TRQ on the activation of mast cells by some stimuli.