Alginate Suppresses Liver Fibrosis Through the Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling

Ziqiang Xia,1 Li Ding,1 Juzeng Zheng,1 Yilun Xu,1 Wenyi Jin,1 Xiong Sheng,2,3 Jinming Wu1 1Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing College, Jiaxing 314000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Jiaxing, Jiaxing 314000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiong ShengDepartment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing College, Jiaxing 314000, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613738262938Fax +8615858827358Email 783532291@qq.comJinming WuDepartment of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613587694167Fax +8615157785663Email wzfydw@163.comPurpose: Liver fibrosis (or liver scarring) is a causative factor for hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Alginate (Agn) isolated from brown algae is known to slow the proliferation of fibroblasts, through the mechanisms of these effects remain undefined. This study explored the benefits of Agn on hepatic health and its associated mechanism(s) of action in hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6s).Materials and Methods: To assess the effects of Agn, HSC-T6s were treated with PDGF and cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration, cell invasiveness and apoptosis were assessed. Rat models of liver fibrosis were produced through 12-week injections of intraperitoneal (IP) carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Rats were Agn-treated from weeks 8 to 12, and liver damage was assessed through Masson’s and H & E staining. Gene expression profiles were assayed via RT-PCR, Western blot and commercial ELISA kits.Results: Agn reduced the proliferation of HSC-T6s and increased apoptotic rates through the downregulation of the Bcl-2:Bax ratio. Agn also inhibited the invasion and migration of HSC-T6s, prevented ECM deposition, and reduced the occurrence of liver fibrosis in rat models. Agn also prevented IκBα and p65 phosphorylation.Conclusion: Agn prevents liver fibrosis through its attenuation of HSC activation and division through the suppression of NF-κB in in vitro and animal models. This highlights how the clinical use of Agn can prevent hepatic fibrosis.Keywords: liver fibrosis, cell proliferation, alginate, apoptosis, NF-κB