[Effects of artesunate on the inhibition of hepatic fibrosis through ceramide synthase-ceramide pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effects of ceramide pathway on the inhibition of artesunate (Art) to hepatic fibrosis.Methods: LX-2 cells were divided into control group, Art treated group with 350 μmol/L, fumonisin B1 (FB1) treated group with 6 μmol/L, and Co-administration group of artesunate 350 μmol/L and fumonisin B1 6 μmol/L. There were 7 compound holes in each group. After 24 hours of treatment, the cells and supernatant were collected and detected. The expressions of homo sapiens longevity assurance homologue 2 (LASS2), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors-γ (PPAR-γ) and Caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blot, the content of ceramide was evaluated by HPLC-FLD method, MTT assay was adopted to measure the rate of proliferation of LX-2 cells. The content of hydroxyproline was determined by digestive method. Results: Compared with the control group, the expression of ceramide synthase protein and the ceramide content were increased significantly, the proliferation of LX-2 cells was inhibited significantly, the expressions of PPAR-γ and Caspase-3 protein were up-regulated and the secretion of hydroxyproline was inhibited in Art treated group (P＜0.05). In FB1 treated group, the protein expression of ceramide synthase and the ceramide content were decreased significantly, the proliferation of LX-2 cells was increased significantly, the expressions of PPAR-γ and Caspase-3 protein were down-regulated, and the secretion of hydroxyproline was increased (P＜0.05). Compared with the Art alone group, the combination of the two drugs could significantly reduce the effects of Art on the expression of ceramide synthase protein and the increase of ceramide content, and attenuate the effects of Art on the cell proliferation , PPAR-γ, Caspase-3 protein expression and hydroxyproline level of LX-2 cells (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Artesunate could inhibit hepatic fibrosis by increasing the content of ceramide through the ceramide synthase-ceramide pathway.