Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Caffeine Extraction, Enzymatic Activity and Gene Expression of Caffeine Synthase from Plant Cell Suspensions
Published on: October 2, 2018
Caffeine inhibits hypoxia-induced renal fibroblast activation by antioxidant mechanism
Angkhana Nilnumkhum1, Rattiyaporn Kanlaya1, Sunisa Yoodee1
1a Medical Proteomics Unit, Office for Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital , Mahidol University , Bangkok , Thailand.
Abstract:
Caffeine has been demonstrated to possess anti-fibrotic activity against liver fibrosis. However, its role in renal fibrosis remained unclear. This study investigated the effects of caffeine on renal fibroblast activation induced by hypoxia (one of the inducers for renal fibrosis). BHK-21 fibroblasts were cultured under normoxia or hypoxia with or without caffeine treatment. Hypoxia increased levels of fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, actin stress fibers, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidized proteins. However, caffeine successfully preserved all these activated fibroblast markers to their basal levels. Cellular catalase activity was dropped under hypoxic condition but could be reactivated by caffeine. Hif1a gene and stress-responsive Nrf2 signaling molecule were elevated/activated by hypoxia, but only Nrf2 could be partially recovered by caffeine. These data suggest that caffeine exhibits anti-fibrotic effect against hypoxia-induced renal fibroblast activation through its antioxidant property to eliminate intracellular ROS, at least in part, via downstream catalase and Nrf2 mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Feedback Inhibition
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
Introduction to Fibroblasts

