Aims: Oxidative stress is involved in cholestasis-induced hepatic damage. Therefore, antioxidant therapy is a recommended therapeutic strategy. Studies have illustrated that chromium can enhance antioxidative capacity leading to a resolution of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess whether chromium has protective effects against cholestasis-related liver damage.
Main methods: Cholestasis was produced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in male Sprague–Dawley rats for 3 weeks. Rats were randomly divided into four groups. Control and BDL groups were subjected to sham and BDL operation, respectively, and were supplemented with placebo for 3 weeks. The BDL-post Cr group was supplemented with chromium chloride for 3 weeks after BDL operation. The BDL-pre Cr group was supplemented with chromium chloride for 6 weeks starting from 3 weeks before BDL operation.
Key findings: In comparison with the control group, the BDL group showed hepatic damage as evidenced by elevation in serum biochemicals, ductular reaction, and fibrosis. These pathophysiological changes were attenuated in the BDL-Pre Cr and BDL-Post Cr groups. However, there was no significant difference between these two groups. The anti-fibrotic effect of chromium was accompanied by reductions in α-smooth muscle actin-positive matrix-producing cells and Smad 2/3 activity critical to the fibrogenic potential of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). In addition, chromium effectively attenuated BDL-induced hepatic oxidative stress.
Significance: The data indicate that chromium attenuates BDL-induced cholestatic liver injury, bile duct proliferation, and fibrosis. The hepatoprotective effect of chromium is associated with antioxidative potential.