血清TIMP-2水平对肝纤维化诊断价值的研究

目的评价HBV感染者血清TIMP-2水平对肝纤维化诊断的临床应用价值。方法采用ELISA法测定498例HBV感染者和100例正常对照者血清TIMP-2,采用放射免疫分析法检测HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ和LN,和采用全自动酶法测定丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）。结果与健康正常人比,HBV感染者五项指标均有不同程度的升高,除慢性HBV携带者PCⅢ、CⅣ、LN、ALT和慢性肝炎轻度患者CⅣ水平与对照组比无统计学差异外,其余各组均与对照组比有显著性差异（P〈0.05）;从急性肝炎至肝硬化患者血清TIMP-2水平依次进行性升高,其中慢性HBV携带者与急性肝炎患者血清TIMP-2水平分别为78.56±26.23ng/ml和92.65±21.93ng/ml,两者相比差异显著（P〈0.01）。血清TIMP-2与HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ和LN呈显著正相关（P〈0.05）,与ALT也呈正相关（P〈0.05）。结论本文检测的肝纤维化指标均可不同程度地反映肝脏的纤维化程度,其中以血清TIMP-2较为可靠和有效。     

慢性乙型肝炎和肝炎肝硬化患者血浆内皮素-1水平与血清肝纤维化指标和门静脉宽度的关系

目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎和肝炎肝硬化患者血浆内皮素-1（ET-1）水平的变化及其与肝纤维化血清指标和门静脉宽度的关系。方法采用放射免疫法测定急性乙型肝炎、慢性乙型肝炎和肝炎肝硬化患者血浆ET-1、血清透明质酸（HA）、层粘蛋白（LN）、Ⅲ型胶原肽（PⅢP）和Ⅳ型胶原（Ⅳ-C）水平。结果23例急性乙型肝炎肝纤维化血清指标中仅HA水平较正常对照组明显升高；81例慢性乙型肝炎和64例肝炎肝硬化患者。血浆ET-1、血清HA、LN、PⅢP和Ⅳ-C水平均较正常对照组明显升高。在慢性乙型肝炎中血浆ET-1、血清HA、LN、PⅢP和Ⅳ-C水平随着肝脏损害程度（轻、中、重度）的加重而逐步升高。在慢性乙型肝炎和肝炎肝硬化患者中。血浆ET-1水平与血清HA、LN、PⅢP和Ⅳ-C水平明显相关；同时ET-1还与患者门静脉宽度明显相关。结论ET-1、HA、LN、PⅢP和Ⅳ-C与慢性乙型肝炎肝脏损害相关：ET-1与慢性乙型肝炎和肝炎肝硬化患者肝纤维化程度和门静脉高压有一定的关系。     

慢性乙型肝炎和肝硬化患者血清HA、LN、PCⅢ和Ⅳ-C水平与肝组织纤维化程度的关系

目的 探讨慢性乙型肝炎和肝硬化患者血清透明质酸（HA）、层粘连蛋白（LN）、Ⅲ型前胶原（PCⅢ）和Ⅳ型胶原（Ⅳ－C）在肝纤维化诊断中的应用价值。方法 采用放射免疫法检测150例慢性乙型肝炎和肝硬化患者血清HA、LN、PVⅢ和Ⅳ－C水平，并与活检肝组织纤维化程度进行相关性分析。结果 各组慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HA、LN、PCⅢ和Ⅳ－C水平均高于正常对照组，与肝纤维化活动水平及程度呈密切正相关。结论 血清HA、LN、PCⅢ和Ⅳ－C水平能较好地反映乙型肝炎纤维化程度，联合检测可明显提高肝纤维化诊断的准确性和可靠性。     

化学发光法检测慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者肝纤维化四项指标结果分析

目的:探讨应用化学发光法定量检测肝纤维化指标透明质酸(HA)、层粘连蛋白(LN)、Ⅲ型前胶原氮端肽(PⅢNP)、Ⅳ型胶原(C-Ⅳ)对肝纤维化的诊断价值.方法:应用化学发光法检测196例慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染者血清肝纤维化指标,其中HBV携带者50例,慢性乙型肝炎(CHB) 48例,慢性重型肝炎(简称慢重肝)36例,乙型肝炎肝硬化62例,正常对照40例,并对结果进行统计学分析.结果:患者HA、LN、PⅢNP、C-Ⅳ在HBV携带者、CHB、慢重肝、乙型肝炎肝硬化患者之间比较,差异有显著性意义(P＜0.05).测定值升高的顺序为:慢重肝＞乙型肝炎肝硬化＞ CHB＞ HBV携带者.结论:应用化学发光法动态检测肝纤维化四项指标是指导临床判断肝纤维化程度的非损伤性的良好检测方法.     

慢性肝病患者血清肝纤维化指标测定的临床意义

目的探讨检测肝纤维化指标在慢性肝病中的临床价值。方法对580例慢性肝病患者检测血清透明质酸（HA）、层粘蛋白（LN）、Ⅲ型前胶原（PCIII）和IV型胶原（IV—C）。结果慢性肝炎轻度（HA196．2±154．1ng／ml,LN109．3±1．6ng／ml,PCⅢ112．4±36．6μg／ml,Ⅳ-C74．2±31．7μg／ml）、中度（HA424．6±218．2ng／ml,LN198．5±56．3ng／ml,PCⅢ214．8±72．5μg／ml．Ⅳ—C118．6±44．2μg／ml）、重度及肝硬化（HA621．5±232．4ng／ml,LN218．6±70．8ng／ml,PCⅢ256．3±94．6μg／ml,Ⅳ—C185．2±49．5μg／ml）患者各指标依次升高,以慢性肝炎重度及肝硬化患者为最高,彼此间均有非常显著性差异（P〈0．01）,各组与健康对照组（HA58．3±26．9ng／ml,LN104．1±18．5ng／ml,PCⅢ102．6±18．3μg／ml,Ⅳ—C48．5±16．8μg／ml）比较均有非常显著性显异（P〈0．01）。结论肝纤维化指标测定对慢性肝病肝纤维化及早期肝硬化具有一定的诊断价值。     

血清纤维化指标与慢性肝病的关系

目的：探讨血清纤维化指标透明质酸（HA）、层粘蛋白（LN）和Ⅲ型前胶原（PCⅢ）水平与慢性肝病的关系。方法：用放射免疫法测定96例慢性肝病患者血清HA、LN和PCⅢ水平，同时行肝组织活检，对肝组织进行炎症分级和纤维化分期。分析血清纤维化指标水平与肝组织分级和分期间的关系。结果：血清HA、LN和PCⅢ水平随慢性肝病的进展均逐渐升高，在慢性重度肝炎和肝硬化时达高峰，与肝组织炎症坏死和纤维化程度呈正相关。结论：血清HA、LN和PCⅢ水平可作为肝纤维化程度的指标之一。     

联合检测血清肝纤维化指标及总胆汁酸在慢性肝病诊断中的价值

目的：探讨慢性肝病患者血清透明质酸（HA）、Ⅲ型前胶原（PCⅢ）、Ⅳ型胶原（Ⅳ-C）、层粘连蛋白（LN）和总胆汁酸（TBA）水平及其临床意义。方法：应用放射免疫法和酶法分别检测171例慢性肝病毒患者的血清HA、PCⅢ、Ⅳ-C、LN及TBA水平升高有显著差异（P＜0．01）,除慢性肝炎轻度组血清LN水平与对照组无差异（P＞0．05）外,其余各组患者血清HA、PCⅢ、Ⅳ－C、LN、TBA水平均随病程的延长而逐渐升高。结论：联合检测慢性肝病患者血清HA、PCⅢ、Ⅳ-C、LN、TBA水平即能反映肝纤维化的轻重,又能了解肝细胞炎症活动及损害程度,对临床诊断、治疗及预后判为有重要价值。     

血清总胆汁酸和4项肝纤维化指标与肝硬化Child-Pugh分级的关系

背景：血清总胆汁酸（TBA）以及肝纤维化指标Ⅲ型前胶原（PCU1）、Ⅳ型胶原（C-Ⅳ）、层黏蛋白（LN）和透明质酸（HA）水平可判断肝硬化程度，但国内外研究关于肝纤维化指标与Child-Pugh分级关系的结果并不完全一致。目的：研究肝硬化患者血清TBA含量以及PCⅢ、C-Ⅳ、LN、HA水平与肝硬化Child-Pugh分级的关系。方法：按Child．Pugh分级标准将42例肝硬化患者分为A、B、C三级，酶法测定血清TBA含量，放射免疫测定法检测空腹血清PCⅢ、C．IV、LN、HA水平。结果：血清TBA含量随Child．Pugh分级增高而升高，不同分级间有显著差异（P〈0．01）。肝功能C级患者血清PCU1水平显著高于A级患者（P〈0．05），各级肝功能患者间血清C-Ⅳ水平均无显著差异，肝功能C级患者血清LN水平显著高于A级和B级患者（P〈0．01，P〈0．05），肝功能B级和C级患者血清HA水平均显著高于A级患者（P〈0．01）。结论：血清TBA含量能灵敏地反映肝硬化患者肝功能损害程度，对指导肝硬化患者肝功能分级具有很好的参考价值；联合检测肝硬化患者血清PCU1、LN、HA对指导肝功能的分级也有一定意义。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者ALT、HBV DNA及血清肝纤维化标志物与肝纤维化程度的关系

目的探讨ALT、HBV DNA以及血清纤维化标志物透明质酸(HA)、层粘连蛋白(LN)、Ⅲ型前胶原肽(PⅢP)、Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ)与慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化程度的关系。方法检测281例慢性乙型肝炎患者血清中ALT、HBV DNA和纤维化标志物(HA、LN、PⅢP及CⅣ)的水平,并行肝活检检测肝组织病理纤维化分期。结果 HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者HBV DNA水平较低、纤维化程度较高。HBeAg阳性患者纤维化程度与HBV DNA呈负相关(r=-0.251,P<0.001),S≥3组水平最低。慢性乙型肝炎患者纤维化程度与PⅢP水平呈正相关,其水平随着纤维化程度的加重而明显升高。结论 PⅢP水平可能作为评估慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化程度的血清学指标,血清HBV DNA与肝脏纤维化严重程度的关系仍需进一步深入探讨。     

血清纤维化指标对肝纤维化诊断价值的研究

目的评价血清纤维化指标透明质酸（HA）、Ⅳ型胶原（CⅣ）、Ⅲ型前胶原肽（PⅢP）、层黏连蛋白（LN）对肝纤维化诊断的价值.方法对确诊的慢性乙型肝炎患者50例和健康人18例,测定血清纤维化指标水平,并进行肝组织纤维化分期.根据受试者工作特征曲线判别4项指标对于肝纤维化分期的诊断价值.结果血清HA、CⅣ、PⅢP和肝脏组织炎症分级呈较弱正相关（r分别为0.430、0.382和0.300,P＜0.05）.血清HA、CⅣ与肝脏组织纤维化分期呈中度正相关（r分别为0.614、0.708,P＜0.05）.血清HA、CⅣ水平随肝纤维化的进展程度而升高.血清HA诊断早期肝硬化（S4）的受试者工作特征曲线下面积（AUC）大于血清CⅣ、PⅢP和LN（AUC=0.967比0.932、0.659、0.403）.血清CⅣ诊断肝纤维化（S1～S4）的AUC大于血清HA、PⅢP和LN（AUC=0.853比0.680、0.536、0.487）.血清LN对于肝组织分级或分期均无统计学意义.联合HA＋CⅣ检测比单一指标有更高的特异度.结论血清纤维化指标对肝纤维化进程有一定的预测意义,但不能对肝纤维化精确分期,因此不能取代肝组织病理活检.联合多项指标检测可在一定程度上提高检测效率.寻找新的血清标志物和联合其他标志物是肝纤维化无创性研究的趋势所在.     

Antifibrotic effect of heparin on liver fibrosis model in rats

AIM: To evaluate the effect of chronic thrombin inhibition by heparin on experimentally induced chronic liver injury (liver fibrosis) in rats.METHODS: Chronic liver injury (liver fibrosis) was induced in Wistar rats by oral administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) for 7 wk, an animal model with persistent severe hepatic fibrosis. Intravenous administration of the thrombin antagonist (heparin) started 1 wk after the start of CCl₄ intoxication for 6 wk. After completion of treatment (7 wk), markers of hepatic dysfunction were measured and changes evaluated histopathologically.RESULTS: Higher serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels, as well as lower fibrinogen levels, were found in CCl₄ intoxicated rats. Heparin, silymarin and combination of drug (heparin and silymarin) treatment for 6 wk prevented a rise in SGOT, SGPT, ALP, total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels and improved fibrinogen levels. Deterioration in hepatic function determined by the fibrosis area was retarded, as evident from hepatic histopathology. Total protein levels were not changed in all groups.CONCLUSION: Heparin, a thrombin antagonist, preserved hepatic function and reduced severity of hepatic dysfunction/fibrogenesis. Combination of heparin and silymarin produced additional benefits on liver fibrosis.     

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 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     

Contribution of mononuclear bone marrow cells to carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

AIM： To study the inhibitory effect of mononuclear bone marrow cell （BNC） transplantation on carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） -induced liver fibrosis in rats.
METHODS： Rat liver fibrosis models were induced by CCl4 and alcohol administration. After 8 wk, twenty rats were randomly allocated into treatment group （n = 10） and control group （n = 10）. BMC were infused into the rats in treatment group via the portal vein, while heparinized saline was infused in control group. CCl4 was hypodermically injected into the rats twice a week for 4 wk. At the end of wk 12, all rats were humanely sacrificed. Uver samples were taken and stained with HE or Masson trichrome. The general conditions, liver fibrosis （hydroxyproline and collagen fibre） and liver pathological grades in rats were evaluated.
RESULTS： The general conditions of the rats in treatment group improved markedly, but not in control group. Hydroxyproline was 504.6± 128.8 μg/g in treatment group, and 596.0 ± 341.8 μg/g in control group. The percentage of collagen fibre was 3.75% ± 0.98% in treatment group and 5.02% ± 0.44% in control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups （P 〈 0.05）. Liver pathological grade decreased from grade N to grade 11 partially in treatment group （P 〈 0.05） with no obvious improvement in control group （P 〉 0.05）. There was a significant difference between treatment group and control group （P 〈 0.05）.
CONCLUSION： Transplantation of BMC can improve liver fibrosis due to chronic liver injury in rats.     

Female spontaneously diabetic Torii fatty rats develop nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-like hepatic lesions

AIM: To investigate the histological features of the liver in spontaneously diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats compared with age-matched Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.METHODS: Female SDT Lepr^fa (SDT fatty) rats and age-matched SD rats were fed ad libitum. Body weight and biochemical parameters, such as serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels as well as fatty acid and TG accumulation in the liver were evaluated at 8 wk of age in the non-fasting state and at 8-wk intervals from 8 to 40 wk of age. Histopathological examinations of the liver were performed using hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius Red staining as well as double staining for ED-1 and toluidine blue. The expression of genes involved in TG synthesis, inflammation, and fibrosis was examined in the liver.RESULTS: SDT fatty rats showed significantly increased body weight compared with SD rats. Serum glucose, TG, and TC levels were significantly higher in SDT fatty rats compared with SD rats. The serum AST and ALT levels in SDT fatty rats were significantly elevated at 8 wk of age compared with the levels in SD rats. Hepatic TG content was marked in SDT fatty rats from 8 to 32 wk of age. Histopathologically, severe hepatosteatosis accompanied by inflammation was observed at 8 wk of age, and fibrosis started to occur at 32 wk of age. Furthermore, Sirius Red and ED-1 staining were increased in the liver at 32 wk of age. Hepatic gene expression related to TG synthesis, inflammation and fibrosis tended to increase in SDT fatty rats compared with SD rats, and the gene expression related to TG secretion was decreased in SDT fatty rats compared with SD rats.CONCLUSION: Female SDT fatty rats have the potential to become an important animal model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with type 2 diabetes and obesity.     

四氯化碳诱导的肝纤维化大鼠肝窦毛细血管化的形成

目的：观察四氯化碳（CCl4）诱导的大鼠肝纤维化过程中肝窦毛细血管化的形成过程,探讨其与肝纤维化的关系。方法32只清洁级雄性SD大鼠,随机分为正常对照组,肝纤维化模型组,正常对照组大鼠腹腔注射0．9％氯化钠溶液2 mL/kg ,模型组大鼠腹腔注射50％ CCl4-蓖麻油混合液2 mL/kg ,每周2次,共8周;分别于造模第2、4、6、8周处死大鼠,观察肝组织炎症及纤维化程度,放射免疫法检测血清中透明质酸（HA）的含量,透射电镜观察肝窦窦壁结构,S-P 免疫组织化学检测各组大鼠肝组织CD31、层黏连蛋白（LN）、IV型胶原（Col-IV）的表达。结果肝脏组织学证实CCl4诱导的大鼠肝纤维化模型构建成功,6周可见纤维间隔形成;透射电镜显示,CCl4诱导2周时,部分肝窦内皮细胞（liver sinusoidal endothelial cells ,LSEC）窗孔减少,内皮下未见基底膜（Basement membrane,BM）,随着造模的进程,LSEC 窗孔进一步减少,部分甚至消失,第6、8周时局部肝窦内皮下形成连续的BM。同时,随着肝纤维化的进程,HA浓度逐渐升高,肝窦内皮细胞表面标志物CD31及基底膜主要成分Col-IV、LN表达逐渐增强。结论在CCl4诱导大鼠肝纤维化过程中,肝窦毛细血管化是逐渐形成的,LSEC失窗孔早于纤维间隔的形成,而肝窦内皮下基底膜出现在纤维间隔形成以后。     

Finally: changing the natural history of chronic hepatitis c!

Previous studies have established the benefit of combined interferon and ribavirin therapy in achieving sustained virological clearance in chronic hepatitis C infection. Interferon has antifibrotic activity, but the added benefit of the combination regimen for the progression of liver fibrosis is unknown. The authors pooled individual data from three large, multicenter, randomized studies of combined interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin involving 1509 patients with pre- and posttreatment liver biopsies. Fibrosis was staged on a scale of 0 to 4: F0, no fibrosis; F1, portal fibrosis without septa; F2, few septa; F3, numerous septa without cirrhosis; and F4, cirrhosis. F2, F3, and F4 were considered significant fibrosis. Liver biopsies were done before and 1 yr after therapy, and the rates of progression or regression of fibrosis between the two biopsies were calculated. Ninety-six weeks after the initial biopsy, 68 ± 4% of patients were without significant fibrosis when treated with combination therapy for 48 wk, 64 ± 4% were without significant fibrosis with interferon alone for 48 wk, 42 ± 7% were without significant fibrosis with combination therapy for 24 wk (lower than both 48-wk therapies, p < 0.001), and 24 ± 9% were without significant fibrosis with interferon alone for 24 wk (lower than the combination therapy for 24 wk, p = 0.02). The patients with significant fibrosis at baseline, those who achieved a virological response, and those who received 48 wk of therapy had the most prominent results. The combination of interferon and ribavirin therapy significantly reduces the rate of progression of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.     

Thiazolidinedione treatment inhibits bile duct proliferation and fibrosis in a rat model of chronic cholestasis

AIM: To investigate the effects of troglitazone (TGZ), an anti-diabetic drug which activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPAR-γ), for liver tissue repair, and the development of ductular reaction, following common bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. METHODS: Rats were supplemented with TGZ (0.2% w/w in the pelleted food) for 1 wk before BDL or sham operation. Animals were killed at 1, 2, or 4 wk after surgery. RESULTS: The development of liver fibrosis was reduced in rats receiving TGZ, as indicated by significant decreases of procollagen type Ⅰ gene expression and liver hydroxy-proline levels. Accumulation of α-smooth-muscle actin (SMA)-expressing cells surrounding newly formed bile ducts following BDL, as well as total hepatic levels of SMA were partially inhibited by TGZ treatment, indicating the presence of a reduced number and/or activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and myofibroblasts. Development of the ductular reaction was inhibited by TGZ, as indicated by histochemical evaluation and hepatic activity of γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT). CONCLUSION: Treatment with thiazolidinedione reduces ductular proliferation and fibrosis in a model of chronic cholestasis, and suggests that limiting cholangiocyte proliferation may contribute to the lower development of scarring in this system.     

An herbal formula, CGX, exerts hepatotherapeutic effects on dimethylnitrosamine-induced chronic liver injury model in rats

INTRODUCTION Several pathologic conditions, including chronic alcohol consumption, viral B or C hepatitis, and constant cholestasis, induce chronic injury to liver tissue. Moreover, these chronic liver disorders lead progressively to fibrosis or liver cir…