Synergistic effects of simvastatin and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on hepatic fibrosis
Other Titles
간섬유화에 대한 simvastatin 및 골수 유래 중간엽 줄기세포의 상승효과
Authors
김성훈
Department
Dept. of Surgery (외과학교실)
Degree
박사
Issue Date
2018
Description
의학과
Abstract
The beneficial effects of simvastatin on fibrosis in various organs have been reported. In addition, bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested as an effective therapy for hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Recent evidence suggests that pharmacological treatment devoted to regulating stem cell function is a potential new therapeutic strategy that is drawing nearer to clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination treatment of simvastatin plus MSCs (Sim-MSCs) could have a synergistic effect on hepatic fibrosis in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced cirrhotic rat model and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Cirrhotic livers from rats treated with Sim-MSCs exhibited histological improvement compared to those treated with simvastatin alone. Sim-MSCs combination treatment decreased hepatic collagen distribution, lowered the hydroxyproline content, and rescued liver function impairment in rats with TAA-induced cirrhosis. These protective effects were more potent with Sim-MSCs than with simvastatin alone. The upregulation of collagen-1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1, and phospho-Smad3 in cirrhotic livers was prevented by the administration of Sim-MSCs. Intriguingly, Sim-MSCs inhibited both TGF-b/Smad3 signaling and α-SMA in HSCs. The Sim-MSCs combination treatment exeed strong protective effects against hepatic fibrosis by suppressing TGF-b/Smad signaling. Simvastatin could act synergistically with MSCs as an efficient therapeutic approach for intractable cirrhosis.