Ameliorative Effect and Mechanism of Chitooligosaccharides on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Injury in Hepatic Cells

The ameliorative effect of chitooligosaccharides (COS) on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced injury in hepatic cells was evaluated. An oxidative stress injury model was established by stimulating L-02 cells with H₂O₂, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and related genes (IL-6 and TNF-α) were analyzed. The results showed that COS could improve the proliferation activity, and suppress the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the increase in ROS level in H₂O₂-injured L-02 cells (P < 0.05). Single cell nano biochemical analysis showed that COS treatment balanced the fluctuation of ROS level in the cells. In addition, COS improved the transcription levels of genes related to inflammation (IL-6 and TNF-α), apoptosis (Caspase 3, Caspase 9, Bax and Bcl-2) and oxidative stress (Nrf2 and HO-1), thereby antagonizing apoptosis and oxidative stress. Conclusively, COS possess protective effects on H₂O₂-induced injury in L-02 cells, which lays a theoretical foundation for the application and development of COS.