Fluorofenidone alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell autophagy via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway: implications for liver cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Liver fibrosis is a key stage in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to cirrhosis and liver cancer, but at present, there is no effective treatment. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the new antifibrotic drug fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) on liver fibrosis and its related mechanism, providing implications for liver cancer.

Materials and methods

The effects of AKF-PD on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) autophagy and extracellular matrix (ECM) expression were assessed in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced rat liver fibrosis model. In vitro, HSC-T6 cells were transfected with Smad2 and Smad3 overexpression plasmids and treated with AKF-PD. The viability and number of autophagosomes in HSC-T6 cells were examined. The protein exp

SUBMITTER: Peng X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10542821 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature