Probucol ameliorates hepatic stellate cell activation and autophagy is associated with farnesoid X receptor.

Probucol has antioxidant effects and inhibits inflammation. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor that regulates autophagy, which is regarded as the key cause of the activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC). In this study, the effects of probucol on HSC activation and autophagy in vitro and vivo and the role of FXR in this progress were investigated.