[Effect of quercetin on the signal pathway of TGFbeta1 in activated hepatic stellate cells]

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2004 Nov;35(6):802-5.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of quercetin on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and fibronectin (FN) in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)beta1.

Methods: HSCs of rat were isolated by in situ perfusion and gradients centrifugation; the activated HSCs were incubated with quercetin (10(-9)-10(-5) mol/L) for 24, 48 and 72 h. TGFbeta1 was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of CTGF was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and then FN was detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Quercetin (10(-8) to 10(-5) mol/L) inhibited the expression of TGFbeta1 in HSCs. TGFbeta1 expression decreased after the HSCs being incubated with quercetin (10(-7) mol/L) for 48 h (mean fluorescence: 13.33+/-2.44 and 18.08+/-2.54, t=16.52, P<0.01). TGFbeta1 increased the expression of CTGF mRNA in HSCs, but this effect was abrogated by quercetin (10(-7) mol/L) within 72 h. Quercetin (10(-7) mol/L) significantly inhibited the expression of FN in HSCs.

Conclusion: Quercetin may have an inhibitory effect on the signal pathways of TGFbeta1, including the expression of TGFbeta1, FN and CTGF.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • Fibronectins / biosynthesis
  • Fibronectins / genetics
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Male
  • Quercetin / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / biosynthesis*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics

Substances

  • CCN2 protein, rat
  • Fibronectins
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • Quercetin