Expression pattern of matrix metalloproteinases in alcohol- and thermally oxidized sunflower oil-induced toxicity: protective role of an aminothiazole derivative.

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of secreted and membrane-bound zinc endopeptidases. Collectively, these enzymes can degrade all of the components of the extracellular matrix including collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and basement membrane glycoproteins. Regulation in expression and activation of proteinases is one of the most important mechanisms in organ morphogenesis. Fibrosis is a dynamic pathological process with a net accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. In the present communication, we have investigated the changes that occur in the activity of liver MMPs in normal and in pathological conditions. The activity of MMPs was increased in thermally oxidized sunflower oiland alcohol-treated groups, whereas the activity was decreased in the thermally oxidized oil + alcohol-fed group when compared with the normal control group. The activity was positively modulated when dendrodoine analogue [4-amino-5-benzoyl- 2(4-methoxyphenylamino)thiazole] was administered along with ethanol and thermally oxidized oil, which indicates the protective effect of this drug.