A red wine polyphenolic extract reduces the activation phenotype of cultured human liver myofibroblasts.

Aim: To test the effect of a standardized red wine polyphenolic extract (RWPE) on the phenotype of human liver myofibroblasts in culture.

Methods: Human myofibroblasts grown from liver explants were used in this study. Cell proliferation was measured with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Signaling events were analyzed by western blot with phospho-specific antibodies. Matrix-metalloproteinase activity was measured with gel zymography.

Results: We found that cell proliferation was dose-dependently decreased by up to 90% by RWPE while cell viability was not affected. Exposure to RWPE also greatly decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/ERK2 and Akt in response to stimulation by the mitogenic factor platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). Finally, RWPE affected extracellular matrix remodeling by decreasing the secretion by myofibroblasts of matrix-metalloproteinase-2 and of tissue inhibitor of matrix-metalloproteinases-1.

Conclusion: Altogether, RWPE decreases the activation state of liver myofibroblasts. The identification of the active compounds in RWPE could offer new therapeutic strategies against liver fibrosis.