Hepatic fibrosis is associated with activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the major source of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The predominant ECM protein synthesized by the HSC is collagen type I. We evaluated the effect of halofuginone-an inhibitor of collagen synthesis-on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. In the control rats the HSC did not express smooth muscle actin, collagen type I gene, or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), suggesting that they were in their quiescent state. When treated with TAA, the livers displayed large fibrous septa, which were populated by smooth muscle actin-positive cells expressing high levels of the collagen ␣1 (

Tyrosine phosphatase PRL-1 is one of the immediate-early genes up-regulated during liver regeneration and is apparently involved in cell proliferation. Previously, we have demonstrated that halofuginone, an inhibitor of collagen type I synthesis, prevents liver fibrosis and improves cirrhotic liver regeneration. In this study, we evaluated the effect of halofuginone on PRL-1 expression, its cellular localization in vitro and during liver regeneration, and fibrosis progression in vivo. In culture, halofuginone increased PRL-1 expression in primary rat hepatocytes and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, the former being more sensitive to halofuginone. The halofuginone-dependent increase in PRL-1 gene expression was correlated with an increase in the transcription factor early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and inversely correlated with the inhibition of cell proliferation. Halofuginone arrested HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines at the G1 phase, whereas Hep3B cells were arrested at G2/M, probably because of a reduction in the synthesis of cyclins D1 and B1 in all HCC cells and increased cyclin A in Hep3B cells. Halofuginone also affected the PRL-1 sub-cellular localization that was cell-cycle-dependent. In addition, halofuginone augmented PRL-1 expression in the remnant liver after partial hepatectomy and in chemically induced fibrosis in rats; this was accompanied by increased expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), another immediate-early gene of regeneration. The regulation of the expression of the early genes of regeneration such as PRL-1 and IGFBP-1 is thus part of the mode of action of halofuginone and results in the prevention of liver fibrosis and improved cirrhotic liver regeneration.

Previous studies have demonstrated that vanadate ions mimic many of the actions of insulin in in vitro systems. Also, vanadate administered to diabetic hyperglycemic rats lowers their blood glucose levels to normal values. In this study we demonstrate that vanadate inhibits glucose output in the isolated perfused rat liver. Glucose production was suppressed maximally (about 50% to 60%), on addition of extremely low vanadate ion concentrations (0.5 to 1 mumol/L). This concentration is about two log units lower than the vanadate ion concentrations that are required to activate hexose uptake and glucose metabolism in vitro and is within the range of endogenous intracellular vanadium concentration. Insulin had little or no effect in inhibiting hepatic glucose output in this experimental system. The effect of vanadate ions is rapid in onset and is not accompanied by any signs of liver toxicity as assessed by various criteria. In conclusion, the study indicates that (a) vanadate ions inhibits hepatic glucose output, maximally and at extremely low, nontoxic concentrations (ID50 = 0.7 +/- 0.1 mumol/L). (b) The modulation action of the ion is fast and probably occurs at point(s) distal to the insulin receptor itself. (c) The liver participates in the process of maintaining euglycemia in diabetic rats receiving optimal doses of vanadate orally.

Osteopetrosis is a genetic bone disease characterized by excessive bone mass and ‘clubbing’ of long bones. In the osteopetrotic (op) mouse, remission of the disease begins at 45 days of age. This study attempted to describe changes in the op tibia before and during remission. Osteopetrotic and normal littermates were killed at intervals from 10 to 120 days of age. Left tibiae were processed for transmission electron microscopy. Microradiographs of right tibiae were projected and drawn. Bone dimensions were compared between mutants and controls by ANOVA and bones were viewed in a scanning electron microscope. Differences between mutants and controls were: at all ages mutant tibiae were shorter than those of controls; 10-day distal shafts of mutant tibiae were significantly narrower; 30-day proximal shafts of mutant tibiae were wider, distal shafts were narrower, and there was no bone resorption along the external proximal metaphysis. At 48 days, resorption was seen along the proximal metaphyses of the mutant tibiae and by 60 days, extensive resorption areas were evident. However, proximal shafts of mutant tibiae were still significantly wider than those of controls. These results indicated that before remission there was an unequal deposition of bone on the mutant tibia. After remission, resorption occurred along the external proximal shaft, but was not enough to remove significant amounts of bone from the proximal metaphyses of mutant tibiae by 120 days of age.

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