雌激素代谢产物介导雌激素抗肝纤维化作用

目的　探讨 β Est抑制大鼠肝纤维化形成的可能作用途径。 方法　在动物实验中采用皮下注射CCl4 制作大鼠肝纤维化模型 ,观察 2 0 μg/kg/dβ Est对完整或去势雌性大鼠肝纤维化形成的影响。 6周后收集肝组织和血清标本 ,以标准酶法、ELISA、RIA分别测定血清肝功能、ECM及E2 水平 ;VG染色胶原染色及α SMA免疫组化观察肝组织病理学改变 ,结合图像分析计算胶原面积。在细胞学实验中采用原位酶灌注法和密度梯度离心法分离HSC。初次传代后的HSC被随机分成 10组 ,分别加入不同浓度 β Est、2 0HE、2Me0E ,加药后 72h ,采用MTT、ELISA及免疫组化法分别检测HSC增殖、培养液中HA、CIV含量及细胞中α SMA、ER表达。结果　β Est能抑制雌性大鼠纤维化形成 ,改善肝功能 ,降低ECM分泌、肝组织纤维化程度及α SMA表达 ,肝组织纤维化程度与血清E2水平呈负相关 ,相关系数为 -0 57;10 - 9M～ 10 - 7M浓度的 β Est、2 0HE、2Me0E能抑制活化HSC增殖、分泌ECM ,呈剂量依赖关系 ,而10 - 7M浓度β Est、2 0HE、2Me0E均能抑制活化HSC表达α SMA ,强度依次为 2Me0E >2 0HE >β Est。 结论　雌激素抑制肝纤维化形成可能通过其代谢产物发挥作用     

奥曲肽抗肝纤维化的实验研究

目的 观察奥曲肽(Oct)对大鼠实验性肝纤维化的治疗效果,并探讨其作用机制。方法 用四氯化碳诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型,将实验动物随机分为正常对照组、治疗前模型组、治疗后模型组和Oct治疗组。Oct治疗组给予Oct(50ng/100g)皮下注射,每日2次,连续用药30d,分别用放射免疫法检测血清层黏连蛋白(LN)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PC Ⅲ)及透明质酸(HA)。VG染色法组织切片观察组织病理变化,免疫组织化学法检测肝组织平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和转化生长因子β_1(TGFβ_1)表达及逆转录聚合酶链反应法检测Ⅰ型和Ⅲ型前胶原mRNA表达。结果 治疗前和治疗后模型组大鼠血清HA(ng/L)为121.8±9.5和110.3±13.4,正常对照组为33.1±3.7、LN(μg/L)为85.7±12.1和78.2±7.9,正常对照组为37.1±6.3、PC Ⅲ(ng/L)为35.9±3.5和33.7±2.6,正常对照组为15.6±2.8。Oct组大鼠血清HA为55.8±7.2、LN为43.1±3.4、PC Ⅲ为27.8±3.4,与模型组大鼠比较,差异有显著性,t=2.76～11.07,P<0.05。Oct能显著降低纤维化大鼠肝组织纤维化积分,下调α—SMA和TGFβ_1蛋白质及I型和III前胶原mRNA表达水平。结论 Oct抑制肝星状细胞激活和转化、下调TGFβ_1蛋白质及I型和III型前胶mRNA表达而发挥抗肝纤维化作用。     

黄芪注射液对肝纤维化抑制作用的实验研究

目的探讨黄芪注射液对大鼠肝星状细胞(HSC)和肝纤维化的作用。方法体外细胞实验: 用不同浓度黄芪注射液(0、25、50、100、200、400 mg/ml)作用HSC不同时间(24、48、72h)后,采用四甲基偶氮唑盐法检测其活化增殖;流式细胞术检测HSC增殖周期;溴乙锭/吖啶橙荧光染色和流式细胞术检测HSC凋亡。动物实验:用40%四氯化碳和5%乙醇制备大鼠肝纤维化动物模型,实验分为正常对照组、模型组和黄芪注射液组。黄芪注射液组和模型组在模型制备的同时分别给予黄芪注射液(800 mg·kg-1·d-1)和等渗盐水腹腔注射,第8周时测定血清透明质酸(HA),层黏连蛋白(LN)水平及肝组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,丙二醛(MDA)含量,免疫组织化学方法观察肝组织LN的表达,苏木素-伊红、苦味酸-酸性品红染色观察肝组织病理改变。结果在体外细胞实验中,与0 mg/ml组比较,黄芪注射液其它浓度组明显抑制了HSC增殖,并呈剂量和时间依赖性;HSC增殖周期被抑制在G2-M期;黄芪注射液各浓度组荧光染色法和流式细胞术均未检测到HSC凋亡。在体内实验中,血清HA、LN含量:模型组分别为(114.3±25.6)μg/L和(78.8±11.7)μg/L,黄芪注射液组分别为(85.6±37.3)μg/L和(66.8±17.6)μg/L,P <0.05;肝组织SOD活性黄芪注射液组为(75.9±5.9)NU/mg,模型组为(49.6±5.7)NU/mg,P< 0.01;而MDA含量黄芪注射液组为(2.4±0.2)μmol/g,模型组为(3.7±0.4)μmol/g,P<0.01。显微镜下黄芪注射液组肝纤维化程度明显轻于模型组,免疫组织化学结果黄芪注射液组肝组织LN表达明显减少。结论黄芪注射液可延缓肝纤维化的发生,其机制除可直接抑制HSC增殖外,还有抗氧化、抗脂质过氧化、减少LN产生,防止肝窦毛细血管化等作用。     

α-干扰素对活化的肝星状细胞早期凋亡的影响

目的:研究IFN-α对活化的大鼠肝星状细胞(HSC)凋亡的影响,进一步探讨IFN-α抗肝纤维化的机制.方法:将体外培养大鼠HSC分别给予不同浓度的IFN-α作用24 h后,采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝实验(MTT)测定活细胞数及应用流式细胞仪(flow cytometry)AnnexinV和PI双染方法将早期凋亡与中晚期凋亡和死细胞区分开,从而测定HSC的早期凋亡情况.结果:MTT实验观察到IFN-α作用于大鼠活化的HSC后,作用组活细胞数目减少,1×10~7及1×10~8U/L两个作用浓度组与对照组的A值比较有显著性差异(t=2.82,5.44,均P<0.05).流式细胞仪结果示HSC的早期凋亡率随干扰素浓度的增加而提高,1×10~7及1×10~8U/L两个作用浓度组与对照组比较早期凋亡率有显著性差异(t=4.31,5.07,均P<0.05).结论:诱导肝星状细胞早期凋亡可能是IFN-α抗肝纤维化的机制之一.     

四氯化碳诱导的大鼠肝纤维化肝组织中SHP2表达与在体肝星状细胞活化及增殖的关系

目的 探讨四氯化碳诱导的大鼠肝纤维化肝组织及在体肝星状细胞(HSC)的含SH2结构域的蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶2(SHP2)表达变化与在体HSC活化及增殖的关系。方法 随机将50只健康雄性SD大鼠分为对照组(10只)、模型组(40只),采用腹腔注射四氯化碳法构建大鼠肝纤维化模型，Masson三色及HE染色检测大鼠肝组织的病理组织学变化，免疫组织化学染色检测大鼠肝组织的α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)及SHP2表达，SHP2与α-SMA免疫荧光双标记检测大鼠肝组织中活化HSC的SHP2表达。结果 与对照组大鼠肝组织的α-SMA阳性表达积分光密度值(IOD)(0.09±0.01)相比，造模不同时间(2周、4周、6周、8周)大鼠纤维化肝组织的α-SMA阳性表达IOD (0.13±0.01、0.18±0.01、0.24±0.02、0.28±0.02)显著增加(P<0.05),并随着造模时间延长逐渐升高(P<0.05),即在体HSC的活化及增殖逐渐加快(α-SMA是HSC的活化标志)。造模不同时间(2周、4周、6周、8周)大鼠纤维化肝组织的SHP2阳性表达IOD (0.23±0.01、0.2...     

肝细胞生长因子抗大鼠肝纤维化作用及其机制的探讨

目的研究肝细胞生长因子(HGF)对实验性肝纤维化大鼠的基质金属蛋白酶13(MMP-13),抑制因子1(TIMP-1),转移生长因子β1(TGFβ-1)表达的影响,探讨HGF抗肝纤维化作用的可能机制。方法清洁级wistar大鼠30只,建立CCL4综合因素诱导的大鼠肝纤维化模型,造模2周后大鼠随机分为3组,每组10只正常对照组(A组),HGF治疗组(B组),模型对照组(C组),B组给予HGF治疗。治疗6周后处死全部大鼠,取血清检测肝纤维化指标,采用HE染色及VG染色观察大鼠肝纤维化程度,免疫组化法检验肝组织MMP-13,TIMP-1,TGFβ-1的表达。结果治疗组肝纤维化血清学指标较模型组有一定程度改善(P值<0.05)。HE染色及VG染色显示HGF治疗组(B组)较模型对照组(C组)在形态学及纤维形成方面均有显著性差异(P值<0.05)。B组与C组比较MMP-13活性升高(0.173±0.030vs0.120±0.049,P<0.05);TIMP-1活性降低(0.159±0.047vs0.0229±0.062,P<0.05);TGFβ-1活性降低(0.190±0.040vs0.235±0.028,P<0.05)。结论肝细胞生长因子可能通过促进MMP-13的活性或抑制TGFβ-1,TIMP-1活性而发挥抗肝纤维化的作用。     

熊胆粉对二甲基亚硝胺诱发大鼠肝纤维化的抑制作用

目的:探讨熊胆粉对二甲基亚硝胺(dimethylnitrosamine,DMN)诱发大鼠肝纤维化的抑制作用.方法:将30只大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组及熊胆组,每组各10只.用10g/LDMN腹腔注射诱发大鼠肝纤维化模型,用400mg/kg熊胆粉灌胃共4wk,检测血清AST、ALT值和总蛋白(TP)含量.肝组织做HE、直接红染色,观察肝组织的病理变化,并检测肝组织内胶原纤维的面密度.免疫组化采用SP法,利用单克隆抗体ED1和α-SMA观察库普弗细胞(Kupffercell,KC)和肝星状细胞(hepaticsatellitecell,HSC)的数量及分布.结果:熊胆组与模型组比较血清ALT值下降,AST值明显下降(4370.87±1338.60nkat/Lvs5741.15±1000.20nkat/L,P<0.05),TP升高,肝/体质量比增加,胶原纤维的面密度明显下降(6.73±1.31vs9.90±1.93,P<0.01).熊胆组肝组织病理变化较模型组轻,纤维间隔变细、或消失,形成弥漫性肝硬化的少.KC和HSC在增生的纤维组织及间隔内分布,熊胆组两种细胞的数量明显减少.结论:熊胆粉具有较好的抑制DMN诱发大鼠肝纤维化的作用,其机制可能与抑制KC,减少细胞因子的分泌,从而抑制HSC的激活和转化,减少胶原纤维合成和分泌有关.     

抗纤软肝胶囊对大鼠肝纤维化肝星状细胞活化及凋亡的影响

目的探讨抗纤软肝胶囊对大鼠肝纤维化肝星状细胞(HSC)活化及凋亡的影响。方法将32只清洁级SD大鼠采用随机数字表法分为正常对照组和肝纤维化建模组各16只。建模组大鼠皮下注射四氯化碳(CCl_4)诱导大鼠肝纤维化,正常对照组以同样方法注射等量植物油,随后将正常对照组随机分为正常组8只,药物组8只,建模组随机分为模型组8只,治疗组8只。药物组、治疗组均给予抗纤软肝胶囊治疗,其他组同期灌服相当量的生理盐水。应用苏木素-伊红(HE)染色和Masson染色观察各组肝脏病理组织学改变;检测各组大鼠血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、白蛋白(ALB)、透明质酸(HA)、层黏连蛋白(LN)、Ⅳ-C型胶原(Ⅳ-C)及Ⅲ型前胶原(PC-Ⅲ)水平;RT-PCR法或流式细胞术检测各组血清体外对HSC-T6细胞中α平滑肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和转化生长因子(TGF)-β1 mRNA表达以及细胞凋亡水平的影响。结果与模型组大鼠比较,治疗组大鼠肝脏的肝纤维化程度减轻;治疗组血清ALT、AST、HA、LN、IV-C、PC-Ⅲ水平明显低于模型组,而ALB水平明显高于模型组(均P<0.05);体外实验发现药物组及治疗组α-SMA和TGF-β1 mRNA的表达水平显著低于正常组及模型组(均P<0.05)。流式细胞术检测结果显示,药物组及治疗组HSC-T6的凋亡水平显著高于正常组及模型组(均P<0.05)。结论抗纤软肝胶囊通过参与调控HSC的活化及凋亡,可发挥对肝纤维化大鼠的治疗作用。     

壮医药线点灸对大鼠肝纤维化组织学及血清学的影响

目的观察壮医药线点灸抑制肝纤维化作用。方法采用CCL4诱导大鼠肝纤维化模型,Wistar大鼠随机分正常对照组、模型组、药线组各10只,应用免疫组化及放射免疫等方法研究壮医药线对肝纤维化大鼠肝组织纤维化程度,肝星状细胞(HSC)凋亡率,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、转化生长因子!1(TGF-"1)含量以及对血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、透明质酸(HA)、III型前胶原(PCIII)、层粘蛋白(LN)含量的影响。结果与模型组相比,药线组能显著改善大鼠肝组织纤维化程度,促进活化HSC凋亡,提高SOD含量,降低MDA、TGF-#1的含量及血清中ALT、HA、PCIII、LN的水平(P<0.01)。结论壮医药线点灸具有一定的抑制肝纤维化作用。     

四种中药单体的抗肝纤维化作用及其机制

目的 比较丹参素、黄芩甙、黄芪、三七总皂甙4种中药单体抗肝纤维化的疗效并探讨其作用机制.方法 以秋水仙碱为对照,将4种中药用于大鼠肝纤维化模型和大鼠肝星状细胞(HSC).观察肝组织形态变化;检测血清透明质酸、Ⅳ型胶原含量;检测肝组织羟脯氨酸、丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,基质金属蛋白酶-1(MMP-1)、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1(TIMP-1)、转化生长因子(TGF)β1的表达;观察HSC活化增殖周期、细胞凋亡及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原蛋白的表达.结果 与模型组比较,中药处理组的肝组织形态显著改善,血清透明质酸、Ⅳ型胶原含量明显减少,肝组织MDA、羟脯氨酸含量及TIMP-1、TGF β1表达亦明显减少、SOD活性显著升高,丹参素组作用最强,黄芩甙组、黄芪组次之,各组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01或P＜0.05).四种中药都能抑制HSC活化增殖、促进细胞凋亡、抑制HSC的Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原蛋白表达,丹参素、黄芩甙、黄芪作用较强.结论 四种中药均能减缓实验性肝纤维化的发生.丹参素作用最强,黄芩甙和黄芪强于三七总皂甙.机制可能是这些中药能通过下调TGF β1抑制HSC活化增殖、促进细胞凋亡而抑制HSC的Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原蛋白表达;降低肝组织MDA含量,增加SOD活性;下调TIMP-1/MMP-1比值从而促进细胞外基质降解,减少其沉积.     

Pentoxifylline prevents pig serum‐induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting interleukin‐6 production

Background/Aim: Pig serum‐induced rat liver fibrosis is a model of liver fibrosis in the absence of obvious hepatocyte injury. Penoxifylline (PTX), a xanthine derivative, which is a well‐known suppressor of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production from inflammatory cells, has also been shown to inhibit the growth of hepatic stellate cells and to inhibit collagen synthesis in these cells in vitro. We investigated the effect of PTX on pig serum‐induced liver fibrosis in vivo, and assessed the mechanisms of prevention of fibrogenesis by this drug. Methods: Male Wistar rats were given intraperitoneal injections of 0.5 ml normal pig serum twice a week for 10 weeks with or without concomitant oral administration of PTX (20 mg/kg). Results: Rats that received pig serum showed significant liver fibrosis, and their serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and hyaluronic acid levels were significantly increased. The serum levels of IL‐6 were well correlated with the serum levels of hyaluronic acid, and increased as the liver fibrosis progressed. Penoxifylline prevented the development of fibrosis in this animal model and reduced the serum levels of IL‐6 in a dose‐dependent manner. In vitro, by the addition of PTX to the culture medium of the rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the proliferation of the HSCs was significantly inhibited and IL‐6 in the culture supernatant was also reduced significantly. Exogenous addition of IL‐6 partially restored the proliferation. Conclusion: Penoxifylline prevents pig serum‐induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting the proliferation of HSCs and by inhibiting the production of IL‐6 from HSCs.     

Effects of pharmacological serum from normal and liver fibrotic rats on HSCs

AIM: To make drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Yigankang, both of which are Chinese herbs that activate bleeding and eliminate stasis, in normal rats and those with liver fibrosis, respectively. To investigate and compare the effects of the two different drug sera on the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: Some rats were induced with liver fibrosis: 40% carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) subcutaneous injection, twice a week for 9 wk. Salvia miltiorrhiza, Yigankang, colchicines and normal saline were administered into the stomachs of normal rats and those with liver fibrosis. Drug sera were extracted 5 d later. HSCs in vitro were cultivated in different drug sera for 24 h. The rates of proliferation and expression of a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and immunocyt-ochemistry stain, respectively. RESULTS: The drug sera from normal and liver fibrotic rats could be used to cultivate HSCs and to observe the effects of the corresponding components of herbs on HSCs. Salvia miltiorrhiza and Yigankang had better inhibitory effects on HSCs than colchicines (MTT: normal drug serum: Salvia miltiorrhiza 0.42 ±0.08, Yigankang 0.32±0.10 vs colchicines 0.45±0.12 pathological drug serum: Salvia miltiorrhiza 0.33±0.02, Yigankang 0.26±0.01 vs colchicines 0.41±0.09. P<0.05). The drug sera of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Yigankang from liver fibrotic rats had a stronger inhibitory effect than the same ones from normal rats (MTT: Salvia miltiorrhiza: normal drug serum 0.42±0.08 vs pathological drug serum 0.33±0.02. Yigankang: normal drug serum 0.32±0.10 vs pathological drug serum 0.26±0.01. P<0.05) CONCLUSION: Salvia miltiorrhiza and Yigankang could inhibit the expression of a-SMA and the proliferation of HSCs. The drug sera from normal and liver fibrotic rats had different effects on HSCs, probably due to different metabolic processes, effective components and different quantities of drug contents in drug sera from rats with different states of liver.     

In vivo effects of Chinese herbal recipe, Danshaohuaxian, on apoptosis and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in hepatic fibrotic rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of Danshaohuaxian (DSHX), a Chinese herbal recipe, on the apoptosis and cell cycles of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in rat hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Seventy-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, hepatic fibrosis group, non-DSHX-treated group and DSHX-treated group. Except for the normal control group, rat hepatic fibrotic models were induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), drinking alcohol, giving diet of hyperlipid and hypoprotein for 8 wk. When the hepatic fibrotic models were produced, 12 rats of hepatic fibrosis group (15 rats survived, others died during the 8 wk) were sacrificed to collect blood and livers. HSCs were isolated from the other 3 rats to detect the apoptotic index (AI) and cell cycles by flow cytometry. DSHX was then given to the DSHX-treated group (1.0 g/kg, PO, daily) for 8 wk. At the same time, normal control group and non-DSHX-treated group were given normal saline for 8 wk. At end of the experiment, some rats in these three groups were sacrificed to collect blood and livers, the other rats were used for HSC isolation to detect the apoptotic index (AI) and cell cycles. Then the liver index, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), degree of hepatic fibrosis, urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (Hyp) and expression of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ (COL Ⅰ and Ⅲ) in these four groups were detected respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the indexes of the hepatic fibrosis group and non-DSHX-treated group, the DSHX-treated group revealed a liver index of (0.0267±0.0017 vs 0.0423±0.0044, 0.0295±0.0019, P<0.05), levels of serum HA (200.78±31.71 vs 316.17±78.48, 300.86±72.73, P<0.05) and ALT(93.13±5.79 vs 174.5±6.02, 104.75±6.54, P<0.01), and stage of hepatic fibrosis (1.30 vs 4.25, 2.60, P<0.01) all reduced. The urinary excretion of Hyp increased (541.09±73.39 vs 62.00±6.40, 182.44±30.83, P<0.01), the COL Ⅰ and Ⅲ expression decreased (COL I: 1.07±0.96 vs 4.18±2.26, 3.22±1.44, P<0.01; COL Ⅲ: 1.09±0.58 vs 3.04±0.62, 2.23±0.58, P<0.01), the HSCs apoptotic index of HSCs (7.81±0.47 vs 1.63±0.25, 1.78±0.4, P<0.05) and the ratio of G0-G1 phase cells increased (94.30±1.33 vs 62.27±17.96, 50.53±2.25, P<0.05). The ratios of S-phase cells (3.11±1.27 vs 9.83±1.81, 11.87±1.9, P<0.05) and G2-M phase cells (2.58±0.73 vs 23.26±10.95, 13.60±1.15, P<0.01) declined. CONCLUSION: DSHX capsule shows certain therapeutic effects on hepatic fibrosis in rats and inhibits abnormal deposition of COL I and III in rat livers by promoting the apoptosis of HSCs and preventing their proliferation.     

Inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on liver fibrosis in rat

AIM: To assess the inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl(4) plus alcohol and high fat low protein diet. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into hepatic fibrosis model group, control group and 3 treatment groups consisting of 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group, all the rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl(4) at a dosage of 3 mL/kg. In 3 treated groups, either high-dose group (9 mL/kg), or medium-dose group (6 mL/kg), or low-dose group (3 mL/kg) was daily gavaged with Huangqi Zhechong decoction, and saline vehicle was given to model and normal control rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and biochemical examinations were used to determine the changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type-III-procollagen-N-peptide (PIIIP), and type IV collagen content in serum, and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver after sacrificing the rats. Pathologic changes, particularly fibrosis were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Van Gieson staining. RESULTS: Compared with the model control group, serum ALT, AST, HA, LN, PIIIP and type IV collagen levels dropped markedly in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups, especially in the medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (1 954+/-576 U/L vs 759+/-380 U/L, 2 735+/-786 U/L vs 1 259+/-829 U/L, 42.74+/-7.04 ng/mL vs 20.68+/-5.85 ng/mL, 31.62+/-5.84 ng/mL vs 14.87+/-1.45 ng/mL, 3.26+/-0.69 ng/mL vs 1.47+/-0.46 ng/mL, 77.68+/-20.23 ng/mL vs 25.64+/-4.68 ng/mL, respectively) (P<0.05). The Hyp content in liver tissue was also markedly decreased (26.47+/-11.24 mg/mgprot vs 9.89+/-3.74 mg/mgprot) (P<0.01). Moreover, the stage of the rat liver fibrosis in Huangqi Zhechong decoction groups was lower than that in model group, and more dramatic drop was observed in medium-dose Huangqi Zhechong decoction group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Huangqi Zhechong decoction can inhibit hepatic fibrosis resulted from chronic liver injure, retard the development of cirrhosis, and notably ameliorate the liver function. It may be a safe and effective therapeutic drug for patients with fibrosis.     

复方牛胎肝提取物片治疗肝纤维化的多中心研究

目的观察研究复方牛胎肝提取物片治疗肝纤维化在扩大人群中的临床疗效。方法采用多中心、自身对照的研究设计。筛选肝纤维化患者共115例,所有病例给予口服复方牛胎肝提取物片治疗24周,治疗前均行肝穿刺做肝活体组织检查,其中有38例患者住治疗后再次做肝活体组织检查。患者均在治疗前、治疗后12、24周和36周,应用放射免疫法检测患者血清肝纤维化标志物HA、LN、Ⅳ型胶原（Ⅳ-C）,观察用药前后各项指标及肝组织病理学变化。结果口服复方牛胎肝提取物片治疗前（0周）,治疗后24周和36周,患者血清肝纤维化标志物HA值分别为（279.2±81.4）ng/ml、（136.8±56.7）ng/ml、（86.9±40.7）ng/ml,LN值分别为（170.8±73.0）ng/ml、（112.5±39.5）ng/ml、（60.8±31.8）ng/ml;Ⅳ-C值分别为（153.7±60.1）ng/ml、（112.4±43.1）ng/ml、（96.3±44.1）ng/ml,治疗后血清肝纤维化标志物较治疗前显著降低（P〈0.05）。肝活体组织病理检查显示,治疗后肝组织纤维化分期比治疗前有明显降低（P〈0.01）。结论复方牛胎肝提取物片具有改善肝纤维化的作用,对于治疗慢性肝病肝纤维化具有较好的疗效。     

The regulatory role of AT 1 receptor on activated HSCs in hepatic fibrogenesis:effects of RAS inhibitors on hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4)

AIM:To assess the effect of ACE inhibitor and Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist in preventing hepatic fibrosis caused by CCl(4) administration in rats;to investigate whether or not there are expression of AT 1 receptors on hepatic stellate cells; and to observe the effect of Ang II on proliferation and ECM synthesis of cultured HSCs.METHODS:Studies were conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Except for the hepatofibrotic model group and the control group, in three treated groups, either enalapril (5mg/kg), or losartan (10mg/kg), or enalapril + losartan were given to the fibrotic rats by daily gavage, and saline vehicle was given to model and normal control rats. After 6 weeks, liver fibrosis was assessed directly by hepatic morphometric analysis, which has been considered the gold standard for the quantification of fibrosis. The expressions of AT 1 receptors and (alpha-mooth muscle actin,alpha-SMA) in liver tissue or isolated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were detected by immunohistochemical techniques. The effect of Ang II on HSC proliferation was determined by MTT method. Effect of Ang II on collagen synthesis of HSCs was determined by (3)H-proline incorporation.RESULTS:Contrasted to the fibrosis in rats of the model group, groups of rats treated with either enalapril or losartan, or a combination of two drugs showed a limited expansion of the interstitium (4.23 plus minus 3.70 vs 11.22 plus minus 4.79, P<0.05), but no difference was observed among three treated groups (5.38 plus minus3.43, 4.96 plus minus 2.96, 4.23 plus minus 2.70, P>0.05). Expression of AT 1 receptors was found in fibrotic interstitium of fibrotic rats, whereas in normal control rats they were limited to vasculature only to a very slight degree. AT 1 receptors were also expressed on activated HSCs in the culture. At concentrations from 10(-9) to 10(-5)mol/L, Ang II stimulated HSC proliferation in culture in a dose dependent manner. Increasing Ang II concentrations produced corresponding increases in (3)H-proline incorporation. Differences among groups were significant.CONCLUSION:Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and AT 1 blocker may slow the progression of hepatic fibrosis;activated HSCs express AT 1 receptors, and Ang II can stimulate the proliferation and collagen synthesis of HSCs in a dose-dependent manner; and activation of RAS may be related to hepatic fibrogenesis induced by CCl(4).     

Suppressive effects of 171β-estradiol on hepatic fibrosis in CCI4-induced rat model

AIM: To investigate the pathway via which 17β-estradio(β-Est) exerts suppressive effects on rat hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: In vivo study was done in CCI4-induced female hepatofibrotic rats. Fibrosis-suppressive effect of β-Est(20 μg/kg&#183;d) was evaluated in intact and ovariectomized rat models. Six weeks after the treatment, all the rats were sacrificed and specimens of serum or liver tissue were collected for the studies. Serum liver enzymes,fibrosis markers and estradiol levels were determined by standard enzymatic methods, ELISA and RIA, respectively.Degrees of fibrosis and areas of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) in the liver were determined by van Gieson (VG) stain and immunohistochemistry. In vitro studies, HSCs were isolated by a combination of pronase-collagenase perfusion and density gradient centrifugation. First-passage HSCs were randomly divided into 10 groups, and different concentrations of β-Est, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2OHE) or 2-methoxyestradiol(2MeOE) were separately added to the cell groups. After incubation for 72 h, the degree of cell proliferation, collagen production, ~-SMA or estrogen receptor (ER) expression was determined by MTT assay, ELISA and immunohistochemistry,respectively.RESULTS: β-Est treatment reduced aspartate aminotransfer-ase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hyaluronic acid(HA) and type IV collagen (C IV) in sera, suppressed hepatic collagen content, decreased the areas of HSCs positive for α-SMA significantly in both intact and ovariectomized female hepatofibrotic rats. There was a negative correlation between the percentage of fibrotic area of liver tissue and the serum estradiol level; the calculated correlation coefficient was -0.57 (P&lt;0.01). β-Est and its metabolites concentration-dependently (10^-9 mol/L-10^-7 mol/L) inhibited HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis. At the concentration of 10^-7 mol/L, they could inhibit α-SMA expression. The order of potency was 2MeOE&gt;2OHE&gt;β-Est.CONCLUSION: β-Est may suppress hepatic fibrosis probably via its biologically active metabolites.     

Inhibitory effects of saikosaponin-d on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrogenesis in rats

AIM： To investigate the suppressive effect of saikosaponin-d （SSd） on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCh injections in combination with alcohol and high fat, low protein feeding and its relationship with the expression of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）, tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） and interleukins-6 （IL-6）. METHODS： Hepatic fibrosis models were induced by subcutaneous injection of CCh at a dosage of 3 mL/kg in rats. At the same time, rats in treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with SSd at different doses （1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg） once daily for 6 wk in combination with CCh, while the control group received olive oil instead of CCh. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized and killed （except for 8 rats which died during the experiment; 2 from the model group, 3 in high-dose group, 1 in medium-dose group and 2 in lowdose group）. Hernatoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Van Gieson staining were used to examine the changes in liver pathology. The levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, triglyeride （TG）, albumin （ALB）, globulin （GLB）, hyaluronic acid （HA） and larninin （LN） in serum and the content of hydroxyproline （HYP） in liver were measured by biochemical examinations and radioimmuneoassay, respectively. In addition, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in liver homogenate was evaluated by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and the levels of NF-κBp65 and I-κBa in liver tissue were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS： Both histological examination and Van Gieson staining demonstrated that SSd could attenuate the area and extent of necrosis and reduce the scores of liver fibrosis. Similarly, the levels of ALT, TG, GLB, HA, and LN in serum, and the contents of HYP, TNF-α and IL-6 in liver were all significantly increased in model group in comparison with those in control group. Whereas, the treatment with SScl markedly reduced all the above parameters compared with the model group, especially in the medium gr     

Suppressive effects of 17β-estradiol on hepatic fibrosis in CCl4-induced rat model

AIM: To investigate the pathway via which 17β-estradiol (β-Est) exerts suppressive effects on rat hepatic fibrosis.METHODS: In vivo study was done in CCl4-induced female hepatofibrotic rats. Fibrosis-suppressive effect of β-Est rat models. Six weeks after the treatment, all the rats were sacrificed and specimens of serum or liver tissue were collected for the studies. Serum liver enzymes,fibrosis markers and estradiol levels were determined by standard enzymatic methods, ELISA and RIA, respectively.Degrees of fibrosis and areas of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the liver were determined by van Gieson (VG) stain and immunohistochemistry.In vitro studies, HSCs were isolated by a combination of pronase-collagenase perfusion and density gradient centrifugation. First-passage HSCs were randomly divided into 10 groups, and different concentrations of β-Est, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2OHE) or 2-methoxyestradiol (2MeOE) were separately added to the cell groups. After incubation for 72 h, the degree of cell proliferation, collagen production, α-SMA or estrogen receptor (ER) expression was determined by MTT assay, ELISA and immunohistochemistry,respectively.RESULTS: β-Est treatment reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hyaluronic acid (HA) and type Ⅳ collagen (C Ⅳ) in sera, suppressed hepatic collagen content, decreased the areas of HSCs positive for α-SMA significantly in both intact and ovariectomized female hepatofibrotic rats. There was a negative correlation between the percentage of fibrotic area of liver tissue and the serum estradiol level; the calculated correlation coefficient was -0.57 (P＜0.01). β-Est and its metabolites concentration-dependently (10-9 mol/L-10-7 mol/L) inhibited HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis. At the concentration of 10-7 mol/L, they could inhibit α-SMA expression. The order of potency was 2MeOE＞2OHE＞β-Est.CONCLUSION: β-Est may suppress hepatic fibrosis probably via its biologically active metabolites.