Capsaicin induces de-differentiation of activated hepatic stellate cell

• Published in: Biochemistry and cell biology Vol. 90; no. 6; p. 683
• Main Authors: Bitencourt, Shanna, de Mesquita, Fernanda C, Caberlon, Eduardo, da Silva, Gabriela V, Basso, Bruno S, Ferreira, Gabriela A, de Oliveira, Jarbas R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada 01-12-2012
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Capsaicin - pharmacology; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Cyclooxygenase 2 - genetics; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; Down-Regulation; Hepatic Stellate Cells - cytology; Hepatic Stellate Cells - drug effects; Hepatic Stellate Cells - metabolism; PPAR gamma - genetics; PPAR gamma - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1208-6002
• DOI: 10.1139/o2012-026

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a key role in liver fibrogenesis. Activation of PPARγ and inhibition of fibrogenic molecules are potential strategies to block HSC activation and differentiation. A number of natural products have been suggested to have antifibrotic effects for the de-activation and de-differentiation of HSCs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of capsaicin on HSC de-activation and de-differentiation. The results demonstrated that capsaicin induced quiescent phenotype in GRX via PPARγ activation. Significant decrease in COX-2 and type I collagen mRNA expression was observed in the first 24 h of treatment. These events preceded the reduction of TGF-β1 and total collagen secretion. Thus, capsaicin promoted down-regulation of HSC activation by its antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory actions. These findings demonstrate that capsaicin may have potential as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of liver fibrosis.