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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Inducing Acute Liver Injury in Rats via Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Exposure Through an Orogastric Tube
Published on: April 28, 2020
Polydeoxyribonucleotide Attenuates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Injury Through A2A Receptor-Related
Il-Gyu Ko1, Su Bee Park2, Hyun Phil Shin2
1Research Support Center, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) has anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective properties associated with activation of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR). Although hepatoprotective actions of PDRN have previously been described, its potential association with high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-related inflammatory responses and hepatic macrophage accumulation during acute liver injury (ALI) is not fully understood. This study examined whether PDRN affects HMGB1- and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)-associated responses together with hepatic macrophage accumulation in ALI. Methods: ALI was induced in ICR mice by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. PDRN was administered either alone or together with the selective A2AR antagonist 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase were quantified. Histological alterations were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Hepatic macrophage accumulation was assessed by F4/80 immunofluorescence staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify HMGB1, MCP-1, interleukin-10 (IL-10), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and A2AR. Results: PDRN significantly reduced serum markers of liver injury and attenuated histopathological damage following CCl4 administration. PDRN treatment also decreased F4/80-positive macrophage accumulation in the hepatic tissue. In addition, PDRN reduced HMGB1 and MCP-1 levels in both the serum and liver tissues while significantly increasing IL-10, cAMP, and A2AR levels. Conclusions: PDRN attenuated CCl4-induced ALI and was associated with reduced HMGB1 and MCP-1 levels, decreased hepatic macrophage accumulation, and increased A2AR/cAMP signaling. These findings suggest that modulation of macrophage-associated inflammatory responses may contribute to the hepatoprotective effects of PDRN.
