Idoxifene (CB7432)

Cell experiment:

DNA synthesis in cultured HSCs is measured using a Cell Proliferation Biotrack ELISA system. HSCs are cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS in 96-well plate for 4 d. In the period, the medium is replaced every other day. After 4 d, the culture medium is removed and the same medium with or without 1, 10, or 100 nM of Idoxifene is added to the cells respectively. After the cells are cultured for an additional 24 h, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is added into each well at a final concentration of 10 μM and the cells are incubated with BrdU for 24 h. The incorporated BrdU is detected[1].

Animal experiment:

Rats[2]Adult male Wistar rats weighing about 200 g are used for the DMN model of hepatic fibrosis. The animals (n=6 in each group), which comprise groups 2 through 6 are administered a single intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg DMN, diluted with saline. The controls in group 1 (n=6) receive a single dose of saline. The rats in groups 4, 5, and 6 receive daily oral gavage of Idoxifene, in a dosing vehicle (1% methylcellulose) of 10 mL/kg at a dose of 0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 14 days after a single injection of DMN. Idoxifene is dissolved in vehicle at a dose of 10 mg/mL as a stock solution. The animals in group 3 receive intraperitoneal injections of Estradiol valerate in olive oil at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day, for 14 days after the DMN injection. The animals in group 2 receive vehicle only. Animals are anesthetized with 40 mg/kg sodium pentobarbital either 0, 3, 9, or 14 days after DMN injection, and sacrificed. Blood samples are drawn from the inferior vena cava for analyses of serum levels of E2 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a biomarker for necrosis, and liver tissue specimens are taken for light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

References:

[1]. Zhou YJ, et al. Inhibitory effects of idoxifene on hepatic fibrosis in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2005 May;26(5):581-6.
[2]. Lu G, et al. Antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities of idoxifene and estradiol in hepatic fibrosis in rats. Life Sci. 2004 Jan 2;74(7):897-907.