Azelnidipine is a calcium blocker that attenuates liver fibrosis and may increase antioxidant defence.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in liver fibrogenesis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and ROS-mediated increases in calcium influx further increase ROS production. Azelnidipine is a calcium blocker that has been shown to have antioxidant effects in endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-fibrotic and antioxidative effects of azelnidipine on liver fibrosis.

Experimental approach

We used TGF-β1-activated LX-2 cells (a human HSC line) and mouse models of fibrosis induced by treatment with either carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4) ) or thioacetamide (TAA).

Key results

Azelnidipine inhibited TGF-β1 and angiotensin II (Ang II)-activated α1(I) collagen mRNA expression in HSCs. Furt

SUBMITTER: Ohyama T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3346246 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature