Protective effects of curcumin against chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice through modulating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress

  • Baoying Wang Henan University of Chinese Medicine
  • Xiaolin Gao
  • Baoguang Liu
  • Yucheng Li
  • Ming Bai
  • Zhenqiang Zhang
  • Erping Xu
  • Zhang’e Xiong
  • Yunlian Hu
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v63.3567
Keywords: curcumin; alcohol; liver injury; mitochondria; endoplasmic reticulum stress; inflammation

Abstract

Background: Curcumin is a major active ingredient extracted from powdered dry rhizome of Curcuma longa.
In Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used as a hepatoprotective agent for centuries.
However, the underlying mechanisms are not clear.

Objective: The present study is to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of curcumin in chronic alcohol-induced liver injury and explore its mechanism.

Design: Alcohol-exposed Balb/c mice were treated with curcumin (75 and 150 mg/kg) once per day for 8 weeks. Tissue from individual was fixed with formaldehyde for pathological examination. The activities of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, Na+/k+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase, were determined. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP)
opening was also determined. The expression of PGC-1α, NRF1, Mn-SOD, GRP78, PERK, IRE1α, nuclear
NF-κB, and phosphorylated IκBα was quantified by western blot. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in
the liver were measured using the ELISA method.

Results: Curcumin significantly promoted hepatic mitochondrial function by reducing the opening of MPTP,
thus increasing the MMP, promoting the activity of Na+/k+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase,
and attenuating oxidative stress. Curcumin upregulated the expression of PGC-1α, NRF1, and Mn-SOD, and
downregulated the expression of GRP78, PERK, and IRE1α in hepatic tissue. Curcumin also attenuated inflammation by inhibiting the IκBα–NF-κB pathway, which reduced the production of TNF, IL-1β, and IL-6.

Conclusion: Curcumin attenuates alcohol-induced liver injury via improving mitochondrial function and attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation. This study provides strong evidence for the beneficial effects of curcumin in the treatment of chronic alcohol-induced liver injury.

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Published
2019-11-01
How to Cite
Wang B., Gao X., Liu B., Li Y., Bai M., Zhang Z., Xu E., Xiong Z., & Hu Y. (2019). Protective effects of curcumin against chronic alcohol-induced liver injury in mice through modulating mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress. Food & Nutrition Research, 63. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v63.3567
Issue
Vol 63 (2019)
Section
Original Articles

Authors retain copyright of their work, with first publication rights granted to SNF Swedish Nutrition Foundation. Read the full Copyright- and Licensing Statement.

 

 

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