Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a vital transcription factor, plays crucial roles in the regulation of inflammation. STAT3 has become a novel therapeutic target for intervention in inflammation-related disorders. However, it remains unclear whether STAT3 plays a part in acute hepatic damage. To investigate the effects of STAT3 here, LPS/d-GalN-induced hepatic damage was induced in mice, the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic was administered, and the degree of liver injury, inflammation, and hepatocyte apoptosis were investigated. The results showed that Stattic mitigated the hepatic morphologic abnormalities and decreased the level of aminotransferase in LPS/D-GalN-insulted mice. The results also indicated that Stattic decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, prevented the activation of the caspase cascade, suppressed cleavage of PARP, and decreased the quantity of TUNEL-positive cells. These results suggest that Stattic provided protective benefits in LPS/d-GalN-induced hepatic damage, and the protective effects might be associated with its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. Therefore, STAT3 might become a novel target for intervening in inflammation-based and apoptosis-based hepatic disorders.