An in vivo evaluation of the antifibrotic potential of inulin against bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis

Objective(s): Hepatic fibrosis is a major cause of liver-related mortality worldwide. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of inulin, a natural polysaccharide, in a rat model of cholestasis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL).Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (۲۳۰–۲۵۰ g) were randomly divided into six groups: control, sham, inulin (۲۰۰ mg/kg), BDL, and BDL+ inulin (۱۰۰ and ۲۰۰ mg/kg). Inulin was orally administered for ۳۰ days after BDL. Serum liver enzyme levels, bilirubin, and lipid profiles were measured. Liver tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress markers (GPx, MDA), fibrogenic mediators (TGF-β۱, α-SMA) via immunohistochemistry, and FXR levels by ELISA. Histological changes were evaluated by ELISA and Masson’s trichrome staining.Results: At ۲۰۰ mg/kg, inulin significantly reversed the BDL-induced increases in serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP), total bilirubin, and cholesterol (P<۰.۰۰۱ vs BDL group). Hepatic GPx and FXR levels were significantly increased (P<۰.۰۰۱ vs BDL group), while MDA levels were decreased (P<۰.۰۰۱ vs BDL group). Inulin markedly suppressed the expression of TGF-β۱ and α-SMA (P<۰.۰۱ vs BDL group). Histopathological evaluation showed notable improvement in liver architecture, with reduced fibrosis and necrosis (P<۰.۰۰۱ vs BDL group). Conclusion: These findings suggest that inulin may exert antifibrotic effects through its anti-oxidant activity, ultimately reducing the expression of fibrogenic markers. This study presents strong histological evidence to support the hepatoprotective role of inulin.

کلیدواژه ها:

α-actins smooth muscle ، Anti-Oxidants ، Bile duct ligation ، cholestasis ، Farnesoid X receptor ، Factor-β۱ ، Inulin ، Liver fibrosis ، Transforming growth