Study of Impact of Wolbachia Surface Protein on Reactive Oxygen Species Production in HepG2 Cell Line Exposed to Ethanol

Objective: To study the impact of Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in ethanol (EtOH)-exposed HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods: Increase in ROS level was induced in HepG2 cells by subjecting HepG2 cells to EtOH exposure. Impact of WSP on ROS level was examined by staining of intracellular ROS in cells using the specific ROS-detecting dye 2ʹ, 7ʹ-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), followed by flow cytometric analysis. Results and Conclusion: Flow cytometry analysis using H2DCFDA-based staining study of ROS level in HepG2 cells revealed that EtOH caused oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by inducing production of high levels of ROS. However, EtOH-induced increased ROS production in cells decreased with treatment of WSP. From the current study, we can culminate that WSP provides cytoprotective action against EtOH-induced increased ROS production and oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by decreasing ROS production. This will be of significance for the treatment of EtOH-related liver ailments. Thus, this article emphasizes that WSP with protecting ability could be used as a powerful therapeutic drug to treat EtOH-related liver ailments.