Protective effects of S-adenosylmethionine against CCl4- and ethanol-induced experimental hepatic fibrosis

In this study the effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) on experimental hepatic fibrotic rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) and ethanol and the relevant potential mechanisms were explored. Hepatic fibrotic rat models were established with CCl 4 diluted in olive oil being drunk with 10% ethanol in water. SAM was used both for prevention and treatment. Histological evaluation was carried out by hematoxylin- eosin (HE) and Masson staining of hepatic samples. Serum biochemical assays showed that alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was increased and albumin (ALB) was decreased by CCl 4 and ethanol, and both effects were suppressed by preventing and treating use of SAM. The model control rats got significantly higher scores in fatty degeneration, lobular inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning. A significant improvement was observed in the SAM-prevented rats and SAM-treated rats, which was consistent with the change of fibrosis scoring in each group. Smad3 was induced by CCl 4 and ethanol in the model control group, which was significantly down regulated by SAM. SAM reduced both total Smad3 and phospho-Smad3 in vitro. SAM had a protective effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl 4 combined with ethanol and the down-regulation of activity and expression of Smad3 were involved in the potential mechanisms.