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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2007; 13(23): 3237-3244
Published online Jun 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i23.3237
Pegylated interferon-alpha plus taurine in treatment of rat liver fibrosis
Ilker Tasci, Mehmet Refik Mas, Sevil Atalay Vural, Salih Deveci, Bilgin Comert, Gunay Alcigir, Nuket Mas, Cemal Akay, Mithat Bozdayi, Cihan Yurdaydin, Hakan Bozkaya, Ozden Uzunalimoglu, Ahmet Turan Isik, Harun M Said
Ilker Tasci, Mehmet Refik Mas, Bilgin Comert, Ahmet Turan Isik, Department of Internal Medicine, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara 06018, Turkey
Sevil Atalay Vural, Gunay Alcigir, Department of Pathology, Veterinarian Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
Salih Deveci, Department of Pathology, Gulhane School of Medicine, Ankara 06018, Turkey
Nuket Mas, Department of Anatomy, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
Mithat Bozdayi, Cihan Yurdaydin, Hakan Bozkaya, Ozden Uzunalimoglu, Institute for Hepatology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
Harun M Said, Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Gulhane School of Medicine Research Council (AR-02-15)
Correspondence to: Dr. Mehmet Refik Mas, GATA Ic Hastaliklari B.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Gulhane School of Medicine Etlik 06018 Ankara, Turkey. itasci@gata.edu.tr
Telephone: +90-312-3044018 Fax: +90-312-3044000
Received: December 7, 2006
Revised: February 2, 2007
Accepted: February 8, 2007
Published online: June 21, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the antifibrotic effects of peginterferon-alpha 2b and taurine on oxidative stress markers and hepatocellular apoptosis.

METHODS: Sixty rats with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis were divided into 4 groups (n = 15). Group 1 was left for spontaneous recovery (SR). Groups 2-4 received peginterferon-alpha 2b, taurine, and their combination, respectively, for four weeks. Histological fibrosis scores, histomorphometric analysis, tissue hydroxyproline, tissue MDA, GPx and SOD activities were determined. Activated stellate cells and hepatocellular apoptosis were also evaluated.

RESULTS: The degree of fibrosis decreased in all treatment groups compared to spontaneous recovery group. Taurine alone and in combination with peginterferon-alpha 2b reduced oxidative stress markers, but peginterferon-alpha 2b alone did not. Apoptotic hepatocytes and activated stellate cells were higher in groups 2-4 than in group 1. Combined taurine and peginterferon-alpha 2b further reduced fibrosis and increased activated stellate cell apoptosis, but could not improve oxidative stress more than taurine alone.

CONCLUSION: Peginterferon-alpha 2b exerts anti-fibrotic effects on rat liver fibrosis. It seems ineffective against oxidative stress in vivo. Peginterferon-alpha 2b in combination with taurine seems to be an antifibrotic strategy.

Keywords: Liver fibrosis; Liver cirrhosis; Pegylated interferons; Taurine; Oxidative stress; Hepatic stelate cells; Apoptosis; Malondialdehyde; Glutathione peroxidase; Superoxide dismutase