Participation of nuclear factor (erythroid 2-related), factor 2 in ameliorating lithocholic acid-induced cholestatic liver injury in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Lithocholic acid (LCA), the most toxic bile acid, induces cholestatic liver injury in rodents. We previously showed that LCA activates the oxidative stress-responsive nuclear factor (erythroid-2 like), factor 2 (Nrf2) in cultured liver cells, triggering adaptive responses that reduce cell injury. In this study, we determined whether Nrf2 protects the liver against LCA-induced toxicity in vivo.

Experimental approach

Nrf2 disrupted (Nrf2(-/-) ) and wild-type mice were treated with LCA (125 mg·kg(-1) body weight) to induce liver injury. Levels of mRNA, protein and function of important Nrf2 target genes coupled with liver histology and injury biomarkers of mice were examined.

Key results

In 4 day LCA treatments, we observed a significantly higher h

SUBMITTER: Tan KP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2998691 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature