Characterization and Evaluation of HGF-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles in a CCl4-Induced Acute Liver Injury Mouse Model

Abstract

Liver injury can be caused by various harmful factors since the liver is considered the key organ for detoxifying endogenous and exogenous substances. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can regulate redox homeostasis through the expression of antioxidant proteins when the liver is under injury. However, HGF is easily degraded. In this study, we produced three kinds of HGF-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles with an initial addition of 2 μg HGF (NPs-HGF-2 μg), 4 μg HGF (NPs-HGF-4 μg), and drug-free nanoparticles (NPs) using the W/O/W emulsion-solvent evaporation method in accordance with our patent. The morphology and physical characteristics were analyzed, and effects of HGF-loaded PLGA nanoparticles on a CCl4-induced acute liver injury mouse model were investigated and compared with HGF solutions. We observed that the morphology and the physical characteristics of the nanoparticles were almost the same, with similar sizes, polydispersity, and zeta potential. HGF-loaded PLGA nanoparticles maintained higher HGF concentrations for a longer period of time in blood and liver tissues. HGF-loaded PLGA nanoparticles increased the SOD activity and GPX levels, decreased the MDA levels in the liver, reduced the necrotic areas of the liver, and decreased the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, T-BIL, BUN, and Scr in blood. In conclusion, our technique for preparing HGF-loaded PLGA nanoparticles was stable and the products were of good quality. HGF-loaded PLGA nanoparticles could provide greater therapeutic benefits on CCl4-induced acute liver injury, including antilipid peroxidation and a reduction in indicator enzymes of liver injury.