White Button Mushroom Extracts Modulate Hepatic Fibrosis Progression, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress In Vitro and in LDLR-/- Mice

Abstract

Liver fibrosis can be caused by non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), among other conditions. We performed a study to analyze the effects of a nontoxic, water-soluble extract of the edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus (AB) as a potential inhibitor of fibrosis progression in vitro using human hepatic stellate cell (LX2) cultures and in vivo in LDLR-/- mice. Treatment of LX2 cells with the AB extract reduced the levels of fibrotic and oxidative-related markers and increased the levels of GATA4 expression. In LDLR-/- mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced liver fibrosis and inflammation, the progression of fibrosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis were prevented by AB extract treatment. Moreover, in the mouse model, AB extract could exert an antiatherogenic effect. These data suggest that AB mushroom extract seems to exert protective effects by alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress during the progression of liver fibrosis, possibly due to a decrease in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression and a reduction in Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. In addition, we observed a potential atheroprotective effect in our mouse model.

RNA methylations in hepatic fibrosis, a gradually emerging new treatment strategy

“…In the damaged liver, activated KCs, activated HSCs, and neutrophils can activate the oxidative stress system to produce ROS and interfere with the normal function of liver-specific cells. Therefore, restoring the balance between oxidation and antioxidant systems in vivo can improve HF [ 64 , 65 ]. Maresin-1 can improve HF by promoting hepatocyte proliferation and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation [ 64 ].…”