Frontiers in Public Health (Jun 2022)

Crocetin Protected Human Hepatocyte LO2 Cell From TGF-β-Induced Oxygen Stress and Apoptosis but Promoted Proliferation and Autophagy via AMPK/m-TOR Pathway

  • Hongxing Guo,
  • Chenyu Ruan,
  • Xiuhong Zhan,
  • Hao Pan,
  • Yumei Luo,
  • Ke Gao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.909125
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects of crocetin against transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)—induced injury in LO2 cells.MethodsHuman hepatocyte LO2 cells were pre-treated with crocetin (10 μM) for 6, 12, and 24 h, and then induced by TGF-β. Proliferation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and related proteins were assessed.ResultsCrocetin pre-treating promoted proliferation but suppressed apoptosis in TGF-β-induced LO2 cells. Crocetin protected LO2 cells from TGF-β-induced inflammation and oxygen stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) but enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). Autophagy was suppressed in TGF-β but crocetin promoted autophagy in LO2 cells by mediating Adenosine 5'-monophosphate—activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (m-TOR) signaling pathway via upregulating p-AMPK and p-Beclin-1 but downregulating p-mTOR.ConclusionsCrocetin protected LO2 cells from TGF-β-induced damage by promoting proliferation and autophagy, and suppressing apoptosis and anti-inflammation via regulation of AMPK/m-TOR signaling pathway.

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