Potential Molecular Targets of Statins in the Prevention of Hepatocarcinogenesis
Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2018, Vol 17, Issue 3
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of liver tumors. Statins, may reduce the incidence of various tumors, including HCC. Antitumoral activities may be mediated by changes in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1) and thyroid hormones (TH) regulation. Aim. The aim of our study is to establish the statins mechanism of action and the potential key molecules involved in an in vivo and in vitro HCC model. Materials and methods. We used two models: in vivo (in rats) using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) to develop HCC, we analyzed cell proliferation parameters (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA) and cholesterol metabolism (hydroxy-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, HMGCoAR). In vitro (Hep-G2 cells) we evaluated the effects of different doses of Atorvastatin (AT) and Simvastatin (SM) on HCB induced proliferation and analyzed proliferative parameters, colesterol metabolism, TGF-β1 mRNA, c-Src and TH levels. Results. In vivo, we observed that cell proliferation significantly increased as well as cholesterol serum levels in rats treated with HCB. In vitro, we observed the same results on PCNA as in vivo. The statins prevented the increase in HMG-CoAR mRNA levels induced by HCB, reaching levels similar to controls at máximum doses: AT (30 μM), and SM (20 μM). Increases in PCNA, TGF-β1, and pc-Src, and decreases in deiodinase I mRNA levels induced by HCB were not observed when cells were pre-treated with AT and SM at maximum doses. Conclusion. Statins can prevent the proliferative HCB effects on Hep-G2 cells. TGF-β1, c-Src and TH may be the statins molecular targets in hepatocarcinogenesis.<br/><br/>
Authors and Affiliations
Ezequiel Ridruejo, Giselle Romero-Caími, María J. Obregón, Diana Kleiman de Pisarev, Laura Alvarez
Acute Variceal Bleeding: Does Octreotide Improve Outcomes in Patients with Different Functional Hepatic Reserve?
Background. Current guidelines do not differentiate in the utilization of vasoactive drugs in patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding (AVB) depending on liver disease severity. Material and methods. In this r...
Chemokines: potent mediators of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in chronic liver diseases
Acute liver failure due to white phosphorus ingestion
Background: White phosphorus is chemical compound available in military ammunition as well as in explosive powder of recreational use. This latter form is commonly found in Latin America and Asia as a main ingredient of...
Novel cytochrome P450-2D6 promoter sequence variations in hepatitis C positive and negative subjects
Introduction. CYP2D6 is a liver enzyme that metabolizes more that 25% of drugs and thus may play a pivotal role in drug-drug interactions. The promoter sequences of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) gene could impact metaboli...
Pigmented hepatocellular adenoma with β-catenin activation: case report and literature review
Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are benign liver tumors recently characterized into 4 different types according to genetic, pathological and clinical features. The prognosis is not well established yet and malignant tran...