Comparison of the effects of cholesterol, palmitic acid, and glucose on activation of human hepatic stellate cells to induce liver fibrosis

In hepatic damage, Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) become active, proliferate, and change to myofibroblasts. Increasing the fibrogenic genes, such as Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA), and Collagen1 α (COL 1α) show that the activation of HSCs can lead to hepatic fibrosis.

Our results demonstrated that high concentrations of cholesterol and palmitic acid can activate human HSCs that lead to an increase in the mRNA expressions of fibrogenic genes. Thus, controlling fat intaking and knowing its mechanism is crucial to prevent and attenuate hepatic fibrosis.

To measure cholesterol, palmitic acid, and glucose cytotoxic effects on the viability of the cells, the MTT technique was used. Then the treated cells were incubated in media containing cholesterol, palmitic acid, and glucose with different concentrations for 24 h. At last, the α-SMA, COL 1α, and TGF-β, genes mRNA expression were measured by real-time PCR.

These days people consume much cholesterol, palmitic acid, and glucose which can have adverse effects on an individuals' health, but their influences on activating human HSCs and inducing liver fibrosis have not been assessed. Our purpose is to investigate the effects of these three main and abundant ingredients in the diet on the activation of human HSCs and inducing liver fibrosis.