Allyl isothiocyanate reduces liver fibrosis by regulating Kupffer cell activation in rats

Abstract

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a metabolite of the glucosinolate sinigrin, protects the liver of rats injured by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). This study evaluated whether AITC reduces hepatic fibrosis in rats repetitively exposed to CCl₄. Serum chemistry showed that AITC (doses of 5 and 50 mg) administered to rats exposed to CCl₄ significantly reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity that were elevated in CCl₄-intoxicated rats. The connective tissue in AITC-treated rats was significantly reduced based on Sirius staining. In addition, Kupffer cell activation was significantly reduced in the AITC and CCl₄ co-treated groups. Collectively, this study suggests that AITC mitigates hepatic fibrosis in rats repetitively exposed to CCl₄ with concurrent regulation of Kupffer cell and monocyte activation.