Combined Taurine, Epigallocatechin Gallate and Genistein Therapy Reduces HSC-T6 Cell Proliferation and Modulates the Expression of Fibrogenic Factors

Hepatic fibrogenesis involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which synthesize excess extracellular matrix and contribute to the development of liver fibrosis. In a prior study we tested the effect of combined treatment with taurine, epigallocatechin gallate and genistein on the development of alcohol-induced liver fibrosis in vitro. In this study, the biological activity of the combination of these molecules was assessed by measuring its effect on cell proliferation, fibrosis-related gene expression, and proteomic expression profiling in the activated HSC cell line, HSC-T6. HSC-T6 cells were incubated with different concentrations of the drug combination taurine, epigallocatechin gallate and genistein. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Transforming growth factor 1 (TGF-1), collagen type I (Col-I), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) mRNA were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. Proteomic profiling of HSC-T6 cells was also performed by SELDI-TOF-MS. Combined drug treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation and TGF-1, Col-I, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression in activated HSC-T6 cells, while the expression of MMP-2 mRNA increased. A total of 176 protein m/z peaks were identified. The intensities of 10 protein peaks were downregulated and two protein peaks were upregulated in HSC-T6 cells after combined drug treatment. In conclusion, combined drug treatment with taurine, epigallocatechin gallate and genistein can inhibit HSC proliferation, and impact fibrosis-related gene and protein expression. The antifibrotic effects of this drug combination may be due to its effects on the expression of fibrogenic genes.