Oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory responses are the two critical mechanisms of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) encountered in many clinical settings, including following hepatectomy and liver transplantation. Effective anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pharmacological interventions are urgently needed to counter HIRI. The present study showed that a biocompatible Prussian blue (PB) scavenger with reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties might be used a promising treatment for HIRI. Following intravenous administration, PB scavenger was mainly distributed in the liver, where it showed excellent ability to alleviate apoptosis, tissue injury and organ dysfunction after HIRI. PB scavenger was found to protect liver tissue by scavenging ROS, reducing neutrophil infiltration and promoting macrophage M2 polarization. In addition, PB scavenger significantly reduced oxidative stress in primary hepatocytes, restoring cell viability under oxidative stress condition. PB scavenger effectively reduced lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells. These findings indicate that PB scavenger may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HIRI, providing an alternative treatment for ROS-associated and inflammatory liver diseases.

Cirrhosis is characterized as the progress of regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous bands in response to chronic hepatic injury and causes portal hypertension and end-stage hepatic disease. Following liver injury, liver progenitor cells (LPCs) can be activated and differentiate into hepatocytes in order to awaken liver regeneration and reach homeostasis. Recent research has uncovered some new sources of LPCs. Here, we update the mechanisms of LPCs-mediated liver regeneration in cirrhosis by introducing the origin of LPCs and LPCs’ niche with a discussion of the influence of LPC-related cells. This article analyzes the mechanism of regeneration and activation of LPCs in cirrhosis in recent years aiming to provide help for clinical application.