Effects of Pristine C Fullerenes on Liver and Pancreas in α-Naphthylisothiocyanate-Induced Cholangitis.

Background: A significant role in pathogenesis of cholangitis is attributed to excessive reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress. Therefore, antioxidants could be promising therapeutics.

Aims: The effects of powerful free radical scavenger C fullerene on hepatic and pancreatic manifestations of acute and chronic cholangitis in rats were aimed to be discovered.

Methods: Acute (AC, 3 days) and chronic (CC, 28 days) cholangitis models were simulated by single (AC) and 4 weekly (CC) α-naphthylisothiocyanate per os administrations. Pristine C fullerene aqueous colloid solution (CFAS, 0.15 mg/ml, size of aggregates 1.2-100 nm) was administered either per os or intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg C fullerene daily (AC) and every other day (CC). Prednisolone was used as a reference. Liver and pancreas autopsies were analyzed, and blood serum biochemical markers were measured. Pan-cytokeratin expression in HepG2 cells was assessed after 48-h incubation with CFAS.

Results: On AC, CFAS normalized elevated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and triglycerides, diminished fibrotic alterations in liver, and improved pancreas state when applied by both ways. Additionally, CFAS per os significantly reduced the signs of inflammation in liver and pancreas. On CC, CFAS also mitigated liver fibrosis and inflammation, improved pancreas state, and normalized alkaline phosphatase and triglycerides. The remedy effect of CFAS was more expressed compared to that of prednisolone on both models. Furthermore, CFAS inhibited pan-cytokeratin expression in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion: Pristine C fullerene inhibits liver inflammation and fibrogenesis and partially improved liver and pancreas state under acute and chronic cholangitis.