β-Carotene supplementation ameliorates experimental liver fibrogenesis via restoring antioxidant status and hepatic stellate cells activity

Abstract

β-Carotene, the precursor of vitamin-A, is found in fruits and vegetables and routinely ingested as a vital nutritional supplement. Despite its beneficial effects in treating various diseases, the antifibrotic potential of β-carotene has not been reported so far. We report here the effect of β-carotene in ameliorating N′-Nitrosodiethylamine-induced liver injury in rats. The experimental rats were divided into four groups: Control, β-carotene-treated, NDEA-treated and NDEA + β-carotene supplemented group. Hepatic enzymes, malondialdehyde, antioxidant levels, vitamin-A content, histopathology and ultrastructure were examined following sacrifice after two weeks. Activation of HSCs and hepatic inflammation were assessed by immunohistochemistry of α-SMA and COX-2, respectively. NDEA provoked significant increase in liver enzymes, peroxides and depletion of antioxidant enzymes, ATPases and vitamin-A contents. Histopathological and ultrastructural observations revealed alterations in hepatic architecture. Elevated levels of α-SMA and COX-2 signify the activation of HSCs and liver inflammation in NDEA-treated group. Our results show that β-Carotene refurbished antioxidant status and inhibits HSC activation by restoring their shape and vitamin-A contents in rats. It is suggested that β-carotene may be a potential curative bioagent to combat experimental hepatic fibrogenesis.