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Abstract Title:

Fucoxanthin inhibits profibrotic protein expression in vitro and attenuates bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in vivo.

Abstract Source:

Eur J Pharmacol. 2017 Sep 15 ;811:199-207. Epub 2017 Jun 19. PMID: 28642129

Abstract Author(s):

Sun Young Ma, Won Sun Park, Dae-Sung Lee, Grace Choi, Mi-Jin Yim, Jeong Min Lee, Won-Kyo Jung, Sae Gwang Park, Su-Kil Seo, Sung Jae Park, Il Yong Han, Yung Hyun Choi, Il-Whan Choi

Article Affiliation:

Sun Young Ma

Abstract:

Pulmonary fibrosis, a potentially fatal disease, results from acute and chronic interstitial lung diseases. Fucoxanthin (Fx), a carotenoid found in brown seaweed, shows a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the antifibrotic effects of fucoxanthin and their underlying molecular mechanisms in transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPFs). Thus, the effects of Fx on TGF-β1-induced expression of fibrotic factors, such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type 1 collagen, fibronectin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), in HPFs were investigated. We performed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a western blot analysis to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the antifibrotic effects of Fx in TGF-β1-stimulated cells. The contractile activity of HPFs was measured using a collagen gel contraction assay. We also investigated the effects of Fx on inflammation and fibrosis in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model. We observed that Fx inhibited the TGF-β1-induced expression of α-SMA, type 1 collagen, fibronectin, and IL-6 in HPFs. Similarly, markedly inhibition of TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of p-38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, and Smad2/Smad3 (Smad2/3) was observed after Fx treatment. Collagen contraction also significantly decreased on fucoxanthin treatment. Intraperitoneal injection of Fx (10mg/kg) in mice inhibited BLM-induced lung fibrosis and type I collagen protein expression. Overall,our findings suggest that Fx may be effective in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis owing to its potent antifibrotic activity.

Study Type : Animal Study, In Vitro Study

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