Effect of Atorvastatin, Curcumin, and Quercetin on miR-21 and miR-122 and their correlation with TGFβ1 expression in experimental liver fibrosis

Abstract

AimsLiver fibrosis is an inflammatory and fibrogenic process that occurs following chronic liver damage. TGFβ1 is the key inducer of fibrosis. MiR-21 and miR-122 are two miRNAs that their expression changes during fibrosis. In the present study, we investigate the effects of curcumin, quercetin, and atorvastatin on the expression levels of miR-21 and miR-122 and evaluated their correlation with TGFβ1 expression in bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced fibrotic rats. Materials and methodsThirty two adult male Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups (n = 8 for each): Sham, Sham + curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), Sham + quercetin (30 mg/kg/day), Sham + atorvastatin (15 mg/kg/day), BDL, BDL + curcumin, BDL + quercetin, BDL + atorvastatin and treated for four weeks via oral gavage. The expression of miR-21, miR-122, and TGFβ1 was evaluated via RT-qPCR. Key findingsThe expression levels of TGFβ1 and miR-21 were significantly increased in the BDL group compared to the Sham group (P < 0.05), but the expression of miR-122 was significantly decreased in the BDL group compared to the Sham group (P < 0.05). Curcumin, quercetin, and atorvastatin treatment lead to down-regulation of miR-21 and TGFβ1 and up-regulation of miR-122 in the BDL groups. There was no significant difference between these drugs in altering gene expression and all had the same effects. Moreover, a direct significant correlation was observed between mir-21 and TGFβ1 and an inverse significant correlation between mir-122 and TGFβ1 expression. SignificanceIn summary, targeting these molecular pathways may partially prevent the progression of liver fibrosis.