| 20106566 |
Shi H, Dong L, Zhang Y, Bai Y, Zhao J, Zhang L: Protective effect of a coffee preparation (Nescafe pure (R)) against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Clin Nutr. 2010 Jan 26.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: We examined the effects of a coffee preparation on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl (4)) and explored the possible mechanisms. METHODS: Rats were divided randomly into four groups: control, CCl (4), and two coffee preparation groups. Except for the control group, liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCl (4) twice a week for 8 weeks. At the same time, a coffee preparation (300 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) was administered to the two coffee preparation groups intragastrically once daily. RESULTS: Upon pathological examination, a coffee preparation treatment significantly reduced liver damage and symptoms of liver fibrosis. The mRNA expression of collagen I, collagen III, bcl-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were markedly increased by CCl (4) treatment but suppressed by a coffee preparation treatment. Whereas compared with the CCl (4) group, the mRNA expression of Bax was increased in the coffee preparation group. The protein expression of Bax and bcl-2 were confirmed by western blot. Intragastric administration of a coffee preparation reduced the protein expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and the glucose-regulated proteins (GRP) 78 and 94 in rats increased by CCl (4). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that a coffee preparation can efficiently inhibit CCl (4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. The coffee preparation may therefore be a potential functional food for preventing liver fibrosis. |
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