β-Carotene, the precursor of vitamin-A, is found in fruits and vegetables and routinely ingested as a vital nutritional supplement. Despite its beneficial effects in treating various diseases, the antifibrotic potential of β-carotene has not been reported so far. We report here the effect of β-carotene in ameliorating N′-Nitrosodiethylamine-induced liver injury in rats. The experimental rats were divided into four groups: Control, β-carotene-treated, NDEA-treated and NDEA + β-carotene supplemented group. Hepatic enzymes, malondialdehyde, antioxidant levels, vitamin-A content, histopathology and ultrastructure were examined following sacrifice after two weeks. Activation of HSCs and hepatic inflammation were assessed by immunohistochemistry of α-SMA and COX-2, respectively. NDEA provoked significant increase in liver enzymes, peroxides and depletion of antioxidant enzymes, ATPases and vitamin-A contents. Histopathological and ultrastructural observations revealed alterations in hepatic architecture. Elevated levels of α-SMA and COX-2 signify the activation of HSCs and liver inflammation in NDEA-treated group. Our results show that β-Carotene refurbished antioxidant status and inhibits HSC activation by restoring their shape and vitamin-A contents in rats. It is suggested that β-carotene may be a potential curative bioagent to combat experimental hepatic fibrogenesis.

β-胡萝卜素是维生素A的前体，存在于水果和蔬菜中，通常作为重要的营养补充品摄入。尽管其在治疗各种疾病中具有有益作用，但迄今为止尚未报道β-胡萝卜素的抗纤维化潜力。我们在这里报告β-胡萝卜素在减轻N'-亚硝基二乙胺诱导的大鼠肝损伤中的作用。实验大鼠分为四组：对照组，β-胡萝卜素治疗组，NDEA治疗组和NDEA +β-胡萝卜素补充组。两周后处死，检查肝酶，丙二醛，抗氧化剂水平，维生素A含量，组织病理学和超微结构。分别通过α-SMA和COX-2的免疫组织化学评估HSC的活化和肝炎症。NDEA引起肝脏酶的显着增加，过氧化物和抗氧化剂，ATP酶和维生素A含量的消耗。组织病理学和超微结构观察显示肝结构发生改变。NDEA治疗组中α-SMA和COX-2水平升高表明HSC活化和肝炎症。我们的结果表明，β-胡萝卜素可通过恢复大鼠的形状和维生素A含量来刷新其抗氧化状态并抑制HSC活化。提示β-胡萝卜素可能是对抗实验性肝纤维化的潜在生物治疗剂。我们的结果表明，β-胡萝卜素可通过恢复大鼠的形状和维生素A含量来刷新其抗氧化状态并抑制HSC活化。提示β-胡萝卜素可能是对抗实验性肝纤维化的潜在生物治疗剂。我们的结果表明，β-胡萝卜素可通过恢复大鼠的形状和维生素A含量来刷新其抗氧化状态并抑制HSC活化。提示β-胡萝卜素可能是对抗实验性肝纤维化的潜在生物治疗剂。