Effects of Heme Oxygenase–1 Overexpression on Liver Injury after Bile Duct Ligation in Rats

Aims: Chronic cholestasis leads to liver injury and will finally progress to portal fibrosis, cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease necessitating liver transplantation. Heme oxygenases are the rate-limiting enzymes that catalyze the conversion of heme into biliverdin, CO and iron. Recently, there were several reports about protective effects of heme oxygenase–1 (HO–1) against oxidant-induced injury. AIM: Accordingly, this study investigated if cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP), a HO–1 inducer, would reduce hepatic fibrosis caused by bile duct ligation (BDL). Methods: Either CoPP or saline were injected intraperitonea…