A Fermented Substance from Aspergillus phoenicis Reduces Liver Fibrosis Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of a fermented substance from Aspergillus phoenicis (FSAP) on chronic liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in rats. CCl₄ (20%; 0.2 ml/100 g body weight) was given twice a week for 9 weeks, and the rats received FSAP throughout the whole experimental period. Plasma ALT and AST, spleen weight, and hepatic levels of lipid peroxidation and hydroxyproline were significantly lower in the rats treated with FSAP as compared to CCl₄ only. Liver pathology in the FSAP-treated rats was also improved. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that FSAP treatment increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and decreased the expression of methionine adenosyltransferase 2A, collagen (α1)(I), collagen (α1)(III), transforming growth factor-β1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. These results clearly indicate that FSAP partially reduced the liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl₄.