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Updated: May 19, 2026

Seven Steps to Stellate Cells
Published on: May 10, 2011
Capsaicin induces de-differentiation of activated hepatic stellate cell
Shanna Bitencourt1, Fernanda C de Mesquita, Eduardo Caberlon
1Laboratório de Pesquisa em Biofísica Celular e Inflamação, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Avenida Ipiranga 6681, prédio 12, bloco C, sala 221, CEP 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Abstract:
Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a key role in liver fibrogenesis. Activation of PPARγ and inhibition of fibrogenic molecules are potential strategies to block HSC activation and differentiation. A number of natural products have been suggested to have antifibrotic effects for the de-activation and de-differentiation of HSCs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of capsaicin on HSC de-activation and de-differentiation. The results demonstrated that capsaicin induced quiescent phenotype in GRX via PPARγ activation. Significant decrease in COX-2 and type I collagen mRNA expression was observed in the first 24 h of treatment. These events preceded the reduction of TGF-β1 and total collagen secretion. Thus, capsaicin promoted down-regulation of HSC activation by its antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory actions. These findings demonstrate that capsaicin may have potential as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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