Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
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The α-1 Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist Doxazosin Attenuates Liver Fibrosis by Alleviating Sinusoidal Capillarization

Ai-Yuan Xiu1, Qian Ding2, Chang-Peng Zhu3

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.

Advanced Biology
|March 17, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Doxazosin effectively reduces liver fibrosis and sinusoidal capillarization in a mouse model. This study suggests doxazosin as a potential therapeutic for liver diseases by inhibiting liver angiogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are critical global health issues stemming from chronic liver injury.
  • Current therapeutic options for these conditions remain limited, necessitating novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of doxazosin in mitigating liver fibrosis.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which doxazosin affects liver fibrosis and angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • A mouse model of liver fibrosis was induced using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration.
  • Doxazosin was administered orally to mice, and liver fibrosis was assessed using histological staining (HE, Masson, Sirius Red) and molecular techniques.
  • In vitro studies on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HHSECs) involved cell viability, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and angiogenesis assays.

Main Results:

  • Doxazosin treatment significantly alleviated liver fibrosis and sinusoidal capillarization in CCl4-induced mice.
  • The drug demonstrated an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis in both HUVECs and HHSECs.
  • Doxazosin reduced liver angiogenesis and sinusoidal capillarization.

Conclusions:

  • Doxazosin shows promise in treating liver fibrosis by targeting sinusoidal capillarization and angiogenesis.
  • The findings support doxazosin as a potential therapeutic agent for chronic liver injury.
  • Further research into doxazosin's role in liver disease is warranted.
Keywords:
angiogenesisdoxazosinhepatic sinusoidal endothelial cellliver fibrosis

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