Hemin pretreatment inhibits hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride on rat liver

Current study indicates oxidative stress plays an important role on hepatic fibrosis. Hemin induces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is known as a cytoprotective protein in preventing from liver damage caused by oxidative stress. The solution of 2 ml/kg/day CCl₄olive oil (1:1) was administrated intraperitoneally to 8-week-old male Wister rats twice a week for 4 weeks. Rats in NS group were received normal saline (3 ml/kg/day), rats in hemin group were received hemin (30 μmol/kg/day) subcutaneously on each day before the administration of CCl₄. In hemin group, the ratio of hepatic fibrosis area was significantly reduced, serum transaminase activity was significantly lower, and few apoptotic cells were observed than in NS group. Hepatic fibrosis is known to be a "wound-healing"-like reaction. We consider that HO-I induced by hemin surppressed oxidative stress of repeated insult by CCl₄ injection following an inhibition of chronic liver injury.