Treatment of pig serum-induced rat liver fibrosis with Boschniakia rossica, oxymatrine and interferon-α

AIM: To investigate the effect of Boschniakia rossica (BR), oxymatrine (OM) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) 1b on the therapy of rat liver fibrosis and its mechanism. METHODS: By establishing a rat model of pig serum-induced liver fibrosis, liver/weight index and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) were observed to investigate the therapeutic effect of BR,OM and IFN-α. Radioimmunoassay was utilized to measure procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ) and collagen type Ⅳ (CIV). RT-PCR was used to assay the expression of liver transforming growth factor- beta 1 (TGF-β1) mRNA. Immunohistochemistry of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and pathologic changes of liver tissues were also under investigation. RESULTS: Serum PCⅢ and CIV in BR, OM and IFN-α groups were significantly declined compared with those in model group, and their RT-PCR revealed that TGF-β1 mRNA expression was also reduced more than that in model group. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that α-SMA also declined more than that in model group. Serum ALT in IFN-α, control and model groups was within normal level. Serum ALT in BR group had no significant difference from those of IFN-α, control and model groups. Serum ALT in OM group was significantly higher than those in BR, IFN-α, model, and control groups. CONCLUSION: BR, OM and IFN-α can prevent pig serum-induced liver rat fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells and synthesizing collagen. OM has hepatotoxicity to rat liver fibrosis induced by pig serum.     

Efficacy of Chinese medicine Yi-gan-kang granule in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of a Chinese medicine, Yi-gan-kang granule (granules for benefiting the liver), in prophylaxis and treatment of liver fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanism. METHODS: One hundred and forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups (20 each): group 1, blank control group without any interference during the study; group 2, CCI4-induced liver fibrosis group; group 3, pig serum-induced liver fibrosis group; group 4, prophylaxis group of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 5, prophylaxis group of pig serum-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 6, treatment group of CCI4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang; group 7, treatment group of CCI4-induced liver fibrosis by Yi-gan-kang. At wk 6,10,14 and 20 (baseline for CCl4., or big serum induction), five rats in each group were anesthetized and their livers were removed for pathological studies including immunohistochemical studies for α-SMA, type I collagen and In situ hybridization of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TTMP-1) mRNA of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Anti-lipid peroxidation in isolated mitochondria and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay for proliferation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-medicated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL), flow cytometry and electron microscopy for apoptosis in isolated HSCs were also studied. RESULTS: The mean number of pseudolobuli at wk 10, 14 and 20 in the prophylaxis group was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0.05 or 0.01). The effect of prophylaxis at wk 14 in CCI4 rats and at wk 10 in pig serum-induced rats was much better than that of treatment group (P<0.01). The thickness (in μm) of fibers both in pig serum-induced prophylaxis and in treatment groups at wk 14 and. 20 was significantly less than that in control group (P<0.05). The number of fibers both in prophylaxis and in treatment groups from wk 10 or 14 to 20 was significantly less than that in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The tissue HSC positive rates of type I collagen, α-SMA and TIMP-1 mRNA, which represented the active phenotype of HSCs in tissues, remained very high from wk 6 to the end of model making in control group. While in prophylaxis group, they were at a relatively low level. In treatment group, there was a gradual decreasing trend. Time- and dose-dependent effects of anti-lipid peroxidation on isolated mitochondria, cell proliferation and apoptosis in cultured HSCs were also observed during the study. CONCLUSION: Yi-gan-kang can effectively inhibit or inverse the course of liver fibrogenesis in CCI4- and pig serum-induced rat models.     

Effects of interferon-alpha on expression of hepatic stellate cell and transforming growth factor-β1 and α-smooth muscle actin in rats with hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate the effect of interferon-α(IFN-α) on preventing or reversing hepatic fibrosis in rat experimental model induced by CCl4.METHODS: One hundred and ten Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: group A (normal controls,n=18), group B (fibrotic model controls, n=22), group C (IFN-α prevention, n=22) initially treated with intra-muscular injection of IFN-α in saline daily at the doses of 1&#215;105U for 6wk, group D (IFN-α treatment, n=24) treated with intra-muscular injection of IFN-α in saline daily at the doses of 1&#215;105U for 6wk after the first 6wk, group E (0.9% sodium chloride treatment control, n=24) treated with intra-muscular injection of 0.01mL/kg daily for 6wk after the first 6wk. At the end of the experiment, all rats of each group were killed. Samples of the liver obtained by biopsy were subjected to histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies for the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).RESULTS: The expressions of TGF-β1, the number of activated hepatic stellate cells and α-SMA in hepatic tissue of group C were significantly less than those of group B(P&lt;0.01). The degree of fibrosis score in group B was also significantly less than that of group C under light microscope (P&lt;0.01).CONCLUSION: IFN-α can inhibit the production of TGF-β1, decrease HSC activation and stimulate its apoptosis.     

Effects of augmentation of liver regeneration recombinant plasmid on rat hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate the effects of eukaryotic expression of plasmid on augmentation of liver regeneration (ALR) in rat hepatic fibrosis and to explore their mechanisms. METHODS: Ten rats were randomly selected from 50 Wistar rats as normal control group. The rest were administered intraperitoneally with porcine serum twice weekly. After 8 wk, they were randomly divided into: model control group, colchicine group (Col), first ALR group (ALR1), second ALR group (ALR2). Then colchicine ALR recombinant plasmid were used to treat them respectively. At the end of the 4th wk, rats were killed. Serum indicators were detected and histopathological changes were graded. Expression of type Ⅰ, Ⅲ, collagen and TIMP-1 were detected by immunohisto-chemistry and expression of TIMP-1 mRNA was detected by semi-quantified RT-PCR. RESULTS: The histologic examination showed that the degree of the rat hepatic fibrosis in two ALR groups was lower than those in model control group. Compared with model group, ALR significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN, PCIII and IV (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that expression of type Ⅰ, Ⅲ, collagen and TIMP-1 in two ALR groups was ameliorated dramatically compared with model group (I collagen: 6.94±1.42,5.80±1.66 and 10.83±3.58 in ALR1, ALR2 and model groups, respectively; Ⅲ collagen: 7.18±1.95, 4.50±1.67 and 10.25±2.61, respectively; TIMP-1: 0.39±0.05,0.20±0.06 and 0.53±0.12, respectively,P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression level of TIMP-1 mRNA in the liver tissues was markedly decreased in two ALR groups compared with model group (TIMP-1 mRNA/β-actin: 0.89±0.08, 0.65±0.11 and 1.36±0.11 in ALR1, ALR2 and model groups respectively, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: ALR recombinant plasmid has beneficial effects on rat hepatic fibrosis by enhancing regeneration of injured liver cells and inhibiting TIMP-1 expressions.     

Melatonin protects liver from intestine ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

AIM： To investigate the protective effect of melatonin on liver after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS： One hundred and fifty male Wistar rats, weighing 190-210 g, aged 7 wk, were randomly divided into melatonin exposure group, alcohol solvent control group and normal saline control group. Rats in the melatonin exposure group received intraperitoneal （IP） melatonin （20 mg/kg） 30 min before intestinal ischemia-reperfusion （IR）, rats in the alcohol solvent control group received the same concentration and volume of alcohol, and rats in the normal saline control group received the same volume of normal saline. Serum samples were collected from each group 0.5, 1, 6, 12, and 24 h after intestinal IR. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were measured with an auto-biochemical analyzer. Serum TNF-α was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Malondialdehyde （MDA） in liver was detected by colorimetric assay. Pathological changes in liver and immunohistochemical straining of ICAM-1 were observed under an optical microscope. RESULTS： The levels of ALT measured at various time points after intestinal IR in the melatonin exposure group were significantly lower than those in the other two control groups （P 〈 0.05）. The serum AST levels 12 and 24 h after intestinal IR and the ICAM-1 levels （%） 6, 12 and 24 h after intestinal IR in the melatonin exposure group were also significantly lower than those in the other two control groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Exotic melatonin can inhibit the activity of ALT, AST and TNF-α, decrease the accumulation of MDA, and depress the expression of ICAM-1 in liver after intestinal IR injury, thus improving the liver function.     

Correlation between anti-fibrotic effect of baicalin and serum cytokines in rat hepatic fibrosis

AIM： To investigate the correlation between the antifibrotic effect of baicalin and serum cytokine production in rat hepatic fibrosis, METHODS： Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups： normal control group, model group, baicalin-treated group, and colchicine-treated group. Except for the normal control group, all rats in the other groups were administered with carbon tetrachloride to induce hepatic fibrosis. At the same time, the last two groups were also treated with baicalin or colchicine. At the end of the 8 wk, all animals were sacrificed. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALl＇）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, transforming growth factor （TGF）-β1, tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α, interleukin （IL）-6 and IL-10 were measured. Liver index, hepatic hydroxyproline content and the degree of liver fibrosis were also evaluated. RESULTS： The levels of ALT, AST and liver index in the baicalin-treated group were markedly lower than those in the model group （ALT： 143.88 ± 14.55 U/L vs 193.58± 24.35 U/L; AST： 263.66 ± 44.23 U/L vs 404.37± 68.29 U/L; liver index： 0.033 ± 0.005 vs 0.049± 0.009, P 〈 0.01）. Baicalin therapy also significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, collagen area and collagen area percentage in liver tissue （P 〈 0.01）. Furthermore, the levels of serum TGF-β1, TNF-α and IL-6 were strikingly reduced in the baicalin-treated group compared with the model group, while the production of IL-10 was up-regulated： （TGF-β1：260.21 ± 31.01 pg/mL vs 375.49 ± 57.47 pg/mL; TNF-α： 193.40±15.18 pg/mL vs 260.04 ± 37.70 pg/mL; IL-α：339.87 ± 72.95 pg/mL vs 606.47 ± 130.73 pg/mL; IL-10：506.22 ± 112.07 pg/mL vs 316.95 ± 62.74 pg/mL, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Baicalin shows certain therapeutic effects on hepatic fibrosis, probably by immunoregulating the imbalance between profibrotic and antifibrotic cytokines.     

Protective effects of tumor necrosis factor α antibody and ulinastatin on liver ischemic reperfusion in rats

AIM: To study the protective effects of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) antibody and ulinastatin on liver ischemic reperfusion in rats.METHODS: One hundred and twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, ischemic group, TNFα antibody group and TNFα antibody + ulinastatin group. The animals were killed at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 h after ischemia for 60 min and followed by reperfusion. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver histopathology were observed.RESULTS: After ischemic reperfusion, the serum ALT and MDA were remarkably increased, and the hepatic congestion was obvious. Treatment of TNFα antibody and ulinastatin could significantly decrease serum ALT and MDA levels, and relieve hepatic congestion.CONCLUSION: Ulinastatin and TNFα antibody can suppress the inflammatory reaction induced by hepatic ischemic reperfusion, and have protective effects on rat hepatic ischemic reperfusion injury.     

Effects of oxymatrine on experimental hepatic fibrosis and its mechanism in vivo

AIM: Hepatic fibrogenesis has close relation with hepatic stellate cells (HSC)and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP). Oxymatrine (OM) is a kind of Chinese herb that is found to have some effects on liver fibrosis. We aimed to determine the effects of OM on hepatic fibrosis and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups; 16 were used to develop hepatic fibrosis by carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) and treated with or without OM, and 16 were used as controls. The expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the livers of rats was detected by immunohisto-chemical assay. Liver pathology was determined by H&E staining and reticulum staining. RESULTS: In CCl4-injured rats, the normal structure of lobules was destroyed, and pseudolobules were formed. Hyperplasia of fibers was observed surrounding the lobules. While the degree of fibrogenesis in liver tissues was significantly decreased in those rats with OM-treatment compared with those without OM treatment. The pseudolobules were surrounded by strong, multi-layer reticular fibers, which netted into pseudolobules in CCl4-injured rats, however, there was a significant decrease in reticular fibers in OM-treated rats. The expression of TIMP-1 in hepatic cells was weak in control groups, but strong in CCl4-injured groups, however, the expression of TIMP-1 was significantly inhibited by OM (F = 52.93, P<0.05). There was no significant change in the expression of α-SMA between CCl4-injured rats with or without OM treatment (F= 8.99, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: OM effectively inhibits CCl4-induced fibrogenesis in rat liver tissues, probably by reducing the expression level of TIMP-1.     

Treatment of pig serum-induced rat liver fibrosis with Boschniakia rossica, oxymatrine and interferon-α

AIM: To investigate the effect of Boschniakia rossica (BR),oxymatrine (OM) and interferon-alpha (IFN-α) 1b on the therapy of rat liver fibrosis and its mechanism.METHODS: By establishing a rat model of pig serum-induced liver fibrosis, liver/weight index and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) were observed to investigate the therapeutic effect of BR, OM and IFN-α. Radioimmunoassay was utilized to measure procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ) and collagen type Ⅳ (CIV). RT-PCR was used to assay the expression of liver transforming growth factor- beta 1 (TGF-β1) mRNA. Immunohistochemistry of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and pathologic changes of liver tissues were also under investigation.RESULTS: Serum PCⅢ and CIV in BR, OM and IFN-α groups were significantly declined compared with those in model group, and their RT-PCR revealed that TGF-β1 mRNA expression was also reduced more than that in model group. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that α-SMA also declined more than that in model group. Serum ALT in IFN-α, control and model groups was within normal level.Serum ALT in BR group had no significant difference from those of IFN-α, control and model groups. Serum ALT in OM group was significantly higher than those in BR, IFN-α,model, and control groups.CONCLUSION: BR, OM and IFN-α can prevent pig seruminduced liver rat fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells and synthesizing collagen. OM has hepatotoxicity to rat liver fibrosis induced by pig serum.     

肝纤维化血清五项标志物的诊断意义

目的探讨慢性肝炎患者血清透明质酸(HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)、Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ)、层粘蛋白(LN)和转化生长因子β1(TGFβ1)对肝纤维化的诊断意义.方法检测116例病毒性肝炎患者血清HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ、LN、TGFβ1水平、并与其中87例慢性肝炎患者的肝组织病理作对比.结果血清HA与肝组织炎症活动度呈较弱的正相关(r＝0393,P<0.05),血清HA、PCⅢ、LN、TGFβ1与肝纤维化程度呈中等程度的正相关(r分别为0584、0454、0441和0612,P<005),血清CⅣ与之则呈较弱的正相关(r=0.319,P<0.05).血清HA诊断肝硬化的AUC明显大于血清PCⅢ、CⅣ、LN、TGFβ1者(AUC=0.904vs0.784、0.815、0.805、0828.P<0.05)血清HA、LN、TGFβ1判断S2期以上肝纤维化的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)明显大于血清PCⅢ、CⅣ者(AUC=0849、0.819、0836vs0702、0721,P<0.05).联合五项指标估计肝纤维化程度,判别分析只选人血清HA和TGFβ1.若将肝纤维化程度S1、S2、S3不作区分,判别效果中各期的差异有显著性(P<005).正确预测率为72.90%.结论五项指标均有助于诊断肝硬化和判断S2期以上肝纤维化,前者应选择血清HA.后者则可选择血清HA、LN或TGFβ1;估计肝纤维化程度以血清HA和TGFβ1同时检测为佳,但仅有助于估计慢性肝炎患者是"无肝纤维化”、"处于肝纤维化阶段”或"肝硬化”,而不能对肝纤维化程度进行精确估计.因而不能取代肝组织病理活检.     

Effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

AIM: To study the effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba (EGb) containing 22% flavonoid and 5% terpenoid on chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis of rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). METHODS: All rats were randomly divided into control group, CCl4-treated group, colchicine-treated group and EGb-protected group. Chronic liver injury was induced in experimental groups by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 and fed with chows premixed with 79.5% corn powder, 20% lard and 0.5% cholesterol (v/v). EGb-protected group was treated with EGb (0.5 g/kg body weight per day) for 7 wk. At the end of wk 8, all the rats were killed. Liver function, liver fibrosis, oxidative stress and expression of transforming growth factorβ1 (TGF-β1), a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and typeⅠcollagens in liver were determined. In addition, pathology changes of liver tissue were observed under light microscope. RESULTS: The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albumin (Alb) in EGb-protected group were notably improved as compared with the CCL4-treated group (P < 0.01). The contents of serum hyaluronic acid (HA), typeⅢprocollagen (PCⅢ), typeⅣcollagen (CIV) and the expression of hepatic tissue TGF-β1,α-SMA and typeⅠcollagen in EGb-protected group were significantly lower than those in CCL4-treated groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The degrees of liver fibrosis in EGb-protected groups were lower than those in CCL4-treated groups (6.58±1.25 vs 9.52±2.06, P < 0.05). Compared to the CCL4-treated group, the levels of plasma glutathoine peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were strikingly improved also in EGb-protected group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EGb resists oxidative stress and thereby reduces chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis in rats with liver injury induced by CCl4     

罗格列酮对非酒精性脂肪性肝炎大鼠肝组织Kruppule样因子6信号通路的影响

目的观察罗格列酮对NASH肝纤维化大鼠肝组织kruppule样因子（KLF）6及其下游靶基因TGFβ1信号通路的影响。方法36只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、高脂组和罗格列酮组,24周末处死所有大鼠,留取肝组织行HE和Massson染色,检测血清TG、游离脂肪酸、AST、ALT及HA、LN、CⅣ等,RT-PCR检测核转录因子KLF6、TGFβ1以及反映HSC活化的特异性标记α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）mRNA的变化,免疫组织化学检测KLF6、过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ、α-SMA的蛋白表达。结果模型组大鼠24周末出现典型脂肪性肝纤维化,治疗组纤维化程度明显减轻和改善。模型组血清生物化学指标及肝纤维化指标均有不同程度增高,罗格列酮干预16周后上述各指标均见明显改善,两组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。RT-PCR显示模型组KLF6 mRNA（0.96±0.08）、TGFβ1 mRNA（0.91±0.07）和α-SMA mRNA （1.08±0.19）的相对表达量均明显上升,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;治疗组则显示增高的上述基因呈不同程度的下降,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。免疫组织化学显示罗格列酮组KLF6、α-SMA蛋白的表达较模型组减少,而PPARγ的表达较模型组增加,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论罗格列酮可以激活PPARγ,降低NASH肝纤维化大鼠肝组织核转录因子KLF6及其下游靶基因TGFβ1的表达,抑制HSC的活化,阻止肝纤维化形成,这可能是其发挥抗肝纤维化的作用之一。     

慢性肝病患者肝纤维化血清学指标与肝组织纤维化分期的量化关系

目的研究肝纤维化血清学指标与慢性肝病患者肝穿刺活体组织学检查纤维化分期的量化关系。方法用放射免疫法检测118例肝病患者血清层黏连蛋白（LN）、透明质酸（HA），Ⅲ型前胶原蛋白（PCⅢ）、Ⅳ型胶原蛋白（CⅣ）的水平，并与患者的肝组织病理学检查作对比。通过SPSS11．0软件包分析LN、HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ与肝组织纤维化分期及炎症分级的量化关系。结果LN、HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ与肝组织学炎症分级有相关性（r分别为0．394．0．449、0．443、0．35l，P值均〈0．01）；与肝组织纤维化分期也有相关性（r值分别为0．456、0．564、0．476、0．42l，P值均〈0．01）。LN．HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ对S2以上肝纤维化诊断界值分别为110、110、100、70ng／ml，其诊断灵敏度分别为70％、79％、79％、74％，特异度分别为68％，72％、64％、73％。对S4（早期肝硬化）的诊断界值分别为130、140、120．70ng／ml，其诊断灵敏度分别为79％、93％，79％，86％，特异度分别为66％、82％．72％、61％。受试者工作特征曲线分析显示：在这些患者中判断有无肝硬化存在，HA比其它指标更有价值；HA测定值大于l90ng／ml时，其诊断早期肝硬化的准确度为93％。结论慢性肝病患者，血清HA、LN、PCⅢ、CⅣ水平与肝纤维化分期有一定量化关系，其中HA诊断早期肝硬化有重要意义。     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者肝纤维化指标与血清尿酸水平关系分析

[目的]分析非酒精性脂肪性肝病（nonalcoholicfattyliverdisease,NAFLD）患者肝纤维化指标与血清尿酸水平的相关性。[方法]人选符合B超诊断的60例NAFLD患者,其中脂肪肝程度轻度者21例、中度22例、重度17例,并选取40例健康体检者为正常对照组,对所有入选者进行血液生化指标[三酰甘油（TG）、总胆固醇（Tc）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、血清肌酐（SCr）、血清尿酸（SUA）、谷草转氨酶（AST）和丙氨酸转移酶（ALT）]和肝纤维化指标[透明质酸（HA）、层黏蛋白（LN）、Ⅲ型前胶原肽（PCm）、Ⅳ型胶原（CⅣ）]检测,并将血清SUA与肝纤维化指标进行偏相关性分析。[结果]与正常对照组相比,NAFLD组中脂肪肝中度患者TG、SUA、AST水平均显著升高;重度患者TC、LDL-C、SCr、AST、ALT、TG、SUA水平均显著升高,HDL-C水平极显著降低。NAFLD组患者的Pcm和HA均显著升高;脂肪肝中、重度患者CⅣ显著升高。NAFLD组患者SUA水平均与Pcm有显著正相关性,脂肪肝中度患者SUA水平与HA呈显著正相关。[结论]NAFLD患者多项血液生化指标及肝纤维化指标异常,其中,SUA与肝纤维化指标PCIII有正相关性。     

Effects of PPARg agonist pioglitazone on rat hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate effects of pioglitazone on rat hepatic fibrosis and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by carbontet. achloride (CCI4). Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: control, model, and two treatment (PⅠ, PⅡ) groups. Except for rats in control group, all rats were given subcutaneous injection of 400 mL/L CCI4, twice a wk for 8 wk. Rats in PⅠ and PⅡ groups were also treated with pioglitazone of 3 mg/kg, daily via gastrogavage beginning on the 1^st day and at the end of the 2^nd week, administration of CCI4 respectively. Liver functions (ALT, AST), serum fibrotic markers (HA, LN, PCIII) and hepatic hydroxyproline (HP) concentration were determined respectively. Histochemical staining of formalin-fixed liver sections with HE, Masson-Trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining for m-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were performed. Modified Knodell and Chevallier semi-quantitative scoring system (SSS) was used to evaluate necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis degree. RESULTS: Compared with model group, pioglitazone significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN and PCⅢ (P&lt;0.05 or &lt;0.01). The HP concentrations in PⅠ(210.90&#177;24.07 μg/g), and PⅡ (257.36&#177;30.55 μg/g) groups were also lower than those in model group (317.80&#177;36.44) μg/g) (P&lt;0.01). Histologic examination showed that PⅠ and PⅡ groups had milder hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells, and thinner or less fibrotic septa than did model group. The scores for necroinflammation in P (2.80&#177;1.03), and PⅡ (3.00&#177;1.05) groups were significantly reduced as compared with model group (4.88&#177;2.30) (P&lt;0.05 or &lt;0.01); the fibrosis scores in PⅠ (3.40&#177;1.65), and PⅡ (4.60&#177;1.35) groups were also markedly lower than those in model group (7.00&#177;3.21) (P&lt;0.05 or &lt;0.01). Immunohistochemical staining showed that expression of α-SMA in PⅠ and PⅡ groups was ameliorated dramatically compared with model group. CONCLUSION: PPARγ, agonist pioglitazone greatly retards the progression of rat hepatic fibrosis induced by CCI4 through inhibition of HSC activation and amelioration of hepatocyte necroinflammation in rats.