Effect of Curcumin on Liver Fibrosis Formation in Rats with Chronic Inflammation Following Diabetics
Pramong R, PhD1, Satin K, MSc1, Yang-en S, MSc1, Petpiboolthai H, MSc1, Anupunpisit V, PhD1
Affiliation : 1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To determine the effects of curcumin on the semiquantitative changes of inflammatory regulators; interleukin (IL)-13,
tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and ED1 as well as the type I and IV collagen levels in the liver of diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods : Diabetic male rats were induced by streptozotocin intravenous injection (60 mg/kg BW). Rats were divided
into three groups; control (C) group, diabetes (DM) group, and diabetes supplemented with curcumin (200 mg/kg BW) (DMC)
group. After 12 weeks of curcumin supplementation, the liver tissues were collected. The levels of IL-13, TNF-alpha, type I collagen,
and type IV collagen were analyzed by western blot analysis, while the level of ED1, a marker of hepatic macrophages, was analyzed
by immunohistochemical method.
Results : The levels of IL-13, TNF-alpha, type I collagen, and type IV collagen were markedly elevated in the DM group compared to
the control group. In contrast, the levels of these entire proteins were decreased significantly in the DMC group. In addition, the level
of ED1-immunoreactivity significantly decreased in DMC group compared to that in the DM group.
Conclusion : The present results support the hypothesis that curcumin can reduce hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in diabetic
liver tissues. Therefore, dietary curcumin might have efficacy to ameliorate diabetic-induced hepatic injury in terms of anti-
inflammation and antifibrotic properties.
Keywords : Curcumin, Diabetes, Hepatic injury, Inflammation, TNF-alpha, Fibrosis
