Influence of serum collected from rat perfused with compound Biejiaruangan drug on hepatic stellate cells

Fluorofenidone alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell autophagy via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway: implications for liver cancer

Objectives

Liver fibrosis is a key stage in the progression of various chronic liver diseases to cirrhosis and liver cancer, but at present, there is no effective treatment. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the new antifibrotic drug fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) on liver fibrosis and its related mechanism, providing implications for liver cancer.

Materials and Methods

The effects of AKF-PD on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) autophagy and extracellular matrix (ECM) expression were assessed in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced rat liver fibrosis model. In vitro, HSC-T6 cells were transfected with Smad2 and Smad3 overexpression plasmids and treated with AKF-PD. The viability and number of autophagosomes in HSC-T6 cells were examined. The protein expression levels of Beclin-1, LC3 and P62 were examined by Western blotting. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used for comprehensively analyzing the prognostic values of SMAD2 and SMAD3 in liver cancer. The correlation between SMAD2, SMAD3, and autophagy-related scores in liver cancer was explored. The drug prediction of autophagy-related scores in liver cancer was explored.

Results

AKF-PD attenuated liver injury and ECM deposition in the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model. In vitro, the viability and number of autophagosomes in HSCs were reduced significantly by AKF-PD treatment. Meanwhile, the protein expression of FN, α-SMA, collagen III, Beclin-1 and LC3 was increased, and P62 was reduced by the overexpression of Smad2 and Smad3; however, AKF-PD reversed these effects. SMAD2 and SMAD3 were hazardous factors in liver cancer. SMAD2 and SMAD3 correlated with autophagy-related scores in liver cancer. Autophagy-related scores could predict drug response in liver cancer.

Conclusions

AKF-PD alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting HSC autophagy via the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smadpathway. Our study provided some implications about how liver fibrosis was connected with liver cancer by SMAD2/SMAD3 and autophagy.

Qingyi decoction attenuates intestinal epithelial cell injury via the calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells pathway

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have demonstrated that dysfunction of the intestinal barrier is a significant contributing factor to the development of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A stable intestinal mucosa barrier functions as a major anatomic and functional barrier, owing to the balance between intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) proliferation and apoptosis. There is some evidence that calcium overload may trigger IEC apoptosis and that calcineurin (CaN)/nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling might play an important role in calcium-mediated apoptosis.

AIM

To investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of Qingyi decoction (QYD) in SAP.

METHODS

A rat model of SAP was created via retrograde infusion of sodium deoxycholate. Serum levels of amylase, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, D-lactic acid, and diamine oxidase (DAO); histological changes; and apoptosis of IECs were examined in rats with or without QYD treatment. The expression of the two subunits of CaN and NFAT in intestinal tissue was measured via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. For in vitro studies, Caco-2 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and QYD serum, and then cell viability and intracellular calcium levels were detected.

RESULTS

Retrograde infusion of sodium deoxycholate increased the severity of pancreatic and intestinal pathology and the levels of serum amylase, TNF-α, and IL-6. Both the indicators of intestinal mucosa damage (D-lactic acid and DAO) and the levels of IEC apoptosis were elevated in the SAP group. QYD treatment reduced the serum levels of amylase, TNF-α, IL-6, D-lactic acid, and DAO and attenuated the histological findings. IEC apoptosis associated with SAP was ameliorated under QYD treatment. In addition, the protein expression levels of the two subunits of CaN were remarkably elevated in the SAP group, and the NFATc3 gene was significantly upregulated at both the transcript and protein levels in the SAP group compared with the control group. QYD significantly restrained CaN and NFATc3 gene expression in the intestine, which was upregulated in the SAP group. Furthermore, QYD serum significantly decreased the LPS-induced elevation in intracellular free Ca²⁺ levels and inhibited cell death.

CONCLUSION

QYD can exert protective effects against intestinal mucosa damage caused by SAP and the protective effects are mediated, at least partially, by restraining IEC apoptosis via the CaN/NFATc3 pathway.

Synergistic Effect of Biejia-Ruangan on Fibrosis Regression in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Treated With Entecavir: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment can reverse liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but its effect on fibrosis regression remains limited. Biejia-Ruangan (BR) has been approved in China as an antifibrotic traditional Chinese medicine drug in patients with chronic liver diseases. A multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of BR on fibrosis regression in CHB patients treated with NAs.

METHODS

CHB patients with histologically confirmed advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive entecavir (ETV) (0.5 mg per day) plus BR (2 g 3 times a day) or placebo for 72 weeks. Liver fibrosis regression was defined as a reduction of ≥ 1 point by the Ishak fibrosis stage (IFS).

RESULTS

Overall, 500 patients were enrolled in each group as the intention-to-treat population. The rate of fibrosis regression after 72 weeks of treatment was significantly higher in the ETV + BR group (40% vs 31.8%; P = .0069). Among 388 patients with cirrhosis (ie, IFS ≥ 5) at baseline, the rate of cirrhosis reversal (ie, IFS ≤ 4) was significantly higher in the ETV + BR group (41.5% vs 30.7%; P = .0103).

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of BR to the current standard treatment with NAs in CHB patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis can improve liver fibrosis regression.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

NCT01965418.

Sweet Wormwood and Tortoise Shell Decoction (Thanh Hao Miet Giap Thang) Induces DNA Damage, S-Phase Arrest, and Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells via ATR-CHK1 Signaling Pathway

Introduction

Sweet wormwood and tortoise shell decoction, Thanh Hao Miet Giap Thang (THMGT) in Vietnamese, a traditional formula composed of five ingredients, is used in complementary care in Vietnam for patients who underwent conventional cancer treatment. To expand the clinical use and explore novel functions of THMGT, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of THMGT in terms of antiproliferative activity and selective cytotoxicity toward human breast cancer cells MCF-7.

Methods

Cytotoxicity of THMGT against human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and primary fibroblasts from a heathy donor were studied using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Flow cytometry analysis, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were also performed to elucidate underlying mechanisms of THMGT action.

Results

The SRB assay on treated MCF-7 cells and primary fibroblasts from a heathy donor indicated selective cytotoxicity of THMGT with a selective index of 3.92. Annexin V/PI staining and flow cytometric analysis on stained MCF-7 cells showed that the THMGT-treated cells were arrested at the S phase and subsequently underwent apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed an upregulation of γ-H2AX, increased protein levels of phosphorylated CHK1, TP53, and phosphorylated TP53 in a time-dependent manner, and a downregulated expression of ATR and MDM2.

Conclusion

These results suggested DNA damaging effect and ATR-CHK1-mediated cell cycle arrest of THMGT on MCF-7 cells resulting in apoptosis induction.

Curdione and Schisandrin C Synergistically Reverse Hepatic Fibrosis via Modulating the TGF-β Pathway and Inhibiting Oxidative Stress

Hepatic fibrosis is the final pathway of several chronic liver diseases, which is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix due to chronic hepatocyte damage. Activation of hepatic stellate cells and oxidative stress (OS) play an important role in mediating liver damage and initiating hepatic fibrosis. Hence, hepatic fibrosis can be reversed by inhibiting multiple channels such as oxidative stress, liver cell damage, or activation of hepatic stellate cells. Liuwei Wuling Tablets is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with the effect of anti- hepatic fibrosis, but the composition and mechanism of reversing hepatic fibrosis are still unclear. Our study demonstrated that one of the main active components of the Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis, schisandrin C (Sin C), significantly inhibited oxidative stress and prevented hepatocyte injury. Meanwhile one of the main active components of the Chinese medicine Curdione inhibited hepatic stellate cell activation by targeting the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. The further in vivo experiments showed that Sin C, Curdione and the combination of both have the effect of reversing liver fibrosis in mice, and the combined effect of inhibiting hepatic fibrosis is superior to treatment with Sin C or Curdione alone. Our study provides a potential candidate for multi-molecular or multi-pathway combination therapies for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and demonstrates that combined pharmacotherapy holds great promise in the prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Effects of novel Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablets with sheep placenta as substitute for hominis placenta on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis

Objective

Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablet (FBRT) is widely used for the treatment of liver fibrosis. However, Hominis Placenta (HP), as an important adjuvant of FBRT, has been restricted for medicinal using due to the limited availability, ethical controversy and safety issues. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of novel FBRT (N-FBRT) with sheep placenta (SP) as substitute for HP on liver fibrosis and explore its possible mechanisms. Different dosages of SP in N-FBRT were also evaluated.

Methods

Rats were subcutaneously injected with CCl₄ to induce liver fibrosis and then treated with N-FBRT and FBRT. The anti-hepatic fibrosis effect was determined based on biomarkers analysis of liver function and hepatic fibrosis, and the liver pathology was visualized by H&E staining and Masson staining. The oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were also detected. Immunohistochemical staining of α-SMA, real time PCR and Western blotting were performed to evaluate hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Results

N-FBRT and FBRT could ameliorate CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis and improve liver function, as evidenced by lowering serum biomarkers levels of liver function and hepatic fibrosis, and decreasing hepatic Hyp content and collagen deposition, and improving the hepatic morphology and architecture changes. Moreover, the anti-liver fibrosis effect was better when the dosage of SP used in N-FBRT was 1/2 of HP in FBRT. Administration of N-FBRT markedly alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited α-SMA expression. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Col I, Col III, α-SMA and TGF-β1, and proteins expression of α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad2/3 and p-Smad2/3 were significantly down-regulated by N-FBRT treatment.

Conclusion

SP can be used as substitute for HP to prepare N-FBRT for the treatment of liver fibrosis and the anti-liver fibrosis effect of N-FBRT is achieved by eliminating oxidative stress and inflammation, and inhibiting HSCs activation and ECM production by blocking TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy and Biejia-Ruangan Are Associated with First Hospital Readmission in Nonalcoholic Cirrhosis Patients

Introductionand Aim. Patients with cirrhosis are often hospitalized repeatedly for a variety of complications. This retrospective study aimed to assess the effects of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and Biejia-Ruangan (BR) on first hospital readmission in nonalcoholic cirrhosis patients without previous overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods. A total of 176 hospitalized patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis were included in this retrospective study. Patients who were first admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital of Capital Medical University from January 2017 to September 2019 were enrolled. The primary endpoint was their first liver-related hospital readmission. The risk factors for readmission were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Results. A total of 176 nonalcoholic cirrhosis patients without previous OHE or HCC were included; 57 patients (32.4%) were diagnosed with MHE, and 63 patients (35.8%) were administered BR (2 g, three times a day). Multivariate analysis revealed that nonalcoholic cirrhosis patients with MHE (HR, 5.805; 95% CI, 3.007-11.206; x, P < 0.001) and a higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (HR, 1.145; 95% CI, 1.068-1.227; P < 0.001) had an increased risk of first hospital readmission, and patients treated with BR (HR, 0.318; 95% CI, 0.151-0.670; P=0.003) had a decreased risk of first hospital readmission. Conclusion. MHE increased the risk of hospital readmission in nonalcoholic cirrhosis patients without previous OHE or HCC, and this risk was decreased by BR administration.

Advances in anti hepatic fibrotic therapy with Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formula

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The process of liver fibrogenesis includes a number of common and etiology-dependent or independent mechanisms and events. Up to now, there are still insufficient approved biological or chemical therapies directly targeting and reversing advanced fibrosis. The key is that once liver fibrosis is triggered, it presents a complex network control model with the activation of HSCs as the core, resulting in poor efficacy of treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in treating hepatic fibrosis because of its syndrome differentiation and treatment and comprehensive pharmacological effects of multi-channel, multi-level and multi-target. However, TCM's advantages were rarely discussed as previous reviews focused on the active ingredients of TCM and single Chinese Medicine. Therefore, this paper focuses on TCM herbal formulae's pharmacological role, target and related mechanisms in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This paper will focus on the pharmacological role, target and related mechanisms of TCM herbal formulae in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collect English literatures or Chinese literatures with English Abstract on the treatment of liver fibrosis with TCM herbal formulae from databases including PubMed, Wiley InterScience, Science Direct OnSite/Elsevier, Ovid, Excerpta Medica Database, SpringLink, CNKI and China Biomedical Literature Database. Based on previous literatures, we summarize the TCM herbal formulae with definite anti-hepatic fibrosis effects.

RESULTS

To some extent, classical or modern TCM herbal formulae including Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD), Xiayuxue Decoction (XYXD), Xiaochaihutang (XCHT), Yiguanjian Decoction (YGJ), Huangqi Decoction (HQD), Dahuang Zhechong Pills (DHZC), Fuzheng Huayu Formula (FZHY), Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablets (FFBJRG), Anluo Huaxian Pills (ALHX) and Compound 861 (Cpd861) have anti-hepatic fibrosis effect both on patients with liver fibrosis and animal models with liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

According to the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment, Liver fibrosis patients with different syndromes are treated with different herbal formula, which increases the difficulty of clinical efficacy research. YCHD and XYXD research lack randomized and controlled clinical trials. XCHT, YGJ and HQD research has small sample sizes despite randomized and controlled clinical trials. In contrast, most modern herbal formulae have randomized and controlled clinical trials. For instance, FZHY and ALHX recently published the research results of the combination of entecavir in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Compared to anti-viral treatment with entecavir alone, this method has improved the reversion rate of liver fibrosis but still needs syndrome classification therapy of TCM. TCM Herbal formulae have a good prospect in treating liver fibrosis, but its composition of multiple drugs and a wide range of targets intensify the difficulty of studying their anti-hepatic fibrosis mechanisms. Future research needs to further study the anti-hepatic fibrosis mechanisms and select corresponding TCM herbal formula to treat patients with different syndromes of liver fibrosis or the same patient with different syndromes at different stages to achieve better curative results.

Protective effects of Liuweiwuling tablets on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND

Liuweiwuling tablets (LWWL) are an herbal product that exerts remarkable effects on liver protection and aminotransferase levels, and they have been approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). Clinical studies have found that LWWL can inhibit collagen production and reduce the levels of liver fibrosis markers in the serum. Thus, LWWL is expected to have beneficial effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological effects of LWWL.

METHODS

Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats via carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) treatment. The rats were treated twice weekly for 8 weeks with either 2 mL·kg^- 1 body weight of a 50% solution of CCl₄ in olive oil or olive oil alone by oral gavage. A subset of rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of either colchicine (0.2 mg/kg per day), LWWL (0.4, 1.6, or 6.4 g/kg per day), or vehicle (N = 12 for all groups) during weeks 9-12. The rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks. Pathological changes in hepatic tissue were examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Sirius Red staining. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I (collagen I) protein expression. Western blotting was also used to detect α-SMA protein expression. Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2) mRNA expression.

RESULTS

LWWL significantly reversed histological fibrosis and liver injury, reduced the hydroxyproline content in liver tissue, and decreased α-SMA and collagen I expression. LWWL also suppressed hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation by reducing the expression of the profibrogenic factors TGF-β1 and PDGF. The expression levels of TIMP1 and TIMP2, which regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, were decreased after CCl₄ injury in LWWL-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that LWWL may serve as a promising therapeutic agent to reduce fibrogenesis.

Hepatoprotective and Anti-fibrotic Agents: It's Time to Take the Next Step

Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis cause strong human suffering and necessitate a monetary burden worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of therapies. Pre-clinical animal models are indispensable in the drug discovery and development of new anti-fibrotic compounds and are immensely valuable for understanding and proofing the mode of their proposed action. In fibrosis research, inbreed mice and rats are by far the most used species for testing drug efficacy. During the last decades, several hundred or even a thousand different drugs that reproducibly evolve beneficial effects on liver health in respective disease models were identified. However, there are only a few compounds (e.g., GR-MD-02, GM-CT-01) that were translated from bench to bedside. In contrast, the large number of drugs successfully tested in animal studies is repeatedly tested over and over engender findings with similar or identical outcome. This circumstance undermines the 3R (Replacement, Refinement, Reduction) principle of Russell and Burch that was introduced to minimize the suffering of laboratory animals. This ethical framework, however, represents the basis of the new animal welfare regulations in the member states of the European Union. Consequently, the legal authorities in the different countries are halted to foreclose testing of drugs in animals that were successfully tested before. This review provides a synopsis on anti-fibrotic compounds that were tested in classical rodent models. Their mode of action, potential sources and the observed beneficial effects on liver health are discussed. This review attempts to provide a reference compilation for all those involved in the testing of drugs or in the design of new clinical trials targeting hepatic fibrosis.

Total polysaccharide of Yupingfeng protects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting transforming growth factor-β1-mediated type I collagen abnormal deposition in rats

Objective

This study was to explore the antifibrotic effect and the possible mechanism of total polysaccharides of Yupingfeng (YPF-P) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Methods

Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by BLM (5 mg/kg), killed 14 and 28 days after BLM administration by abdominal aorta exsanguination and removed the lungs. Lung coefficient was counted at the same time. Besides, H&E and Masson's trichrome staining for histopathological changes of lung tissues were observed. Additionally, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining techniques were used to detect expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), type I collagen (Col-I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Finally, the levels of Col-I and hydroxyproline (HYP) in lung tissues were also utilized.

Key findings

YPF-P alleviated the increase of lung coefficient induced by BLM instillation in pulmonary fibrosis rat, pathologic changes and collagen distribution were obviously ameliorated, while the increase of α-SMA-positive cells and TGF-β1 expression was prevented after YPF-P treatment. Moreover, the contents of HYP and Col-I were decreased in YPF-P group.

Conclusions

YPF-P had antifibrotic effect in experiment, which may reduce the synthesis and promote the deposition of Col-I via suppressing the increase of TGF-β1-mediated activation of myofibroblasts.

A Chinese Herbal Decoction, Modified Yi Guan Jian, Induces Apoptosis in Hepatic Stellate Cells through an ROS-Mediated Mitochondrial/Caspase Pathway

The Chinese herb modified Yi Guan Jian (mYGJ) is an effective regimen that is usually used in outpatients with chronic liver diseases such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, the mechanism for the action of mYGJ on liver fibrosis is not yet clear. In this study, we found that mYGJ induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) apoptosis concomitant with the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression and slight elevation of Bax level. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated in the early stages of mYGJ-induced HSCs apoptosis to facilitate calcium and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to cytosol. Subsequently, caspase 9 and caspase 3 were activated. Furthermore, the activation of ER stress-associated caspase 12 in HSCs was also evaluated. Together, we report the first evidence-based study to demonstrate that mYGJ decoction induces HSCs apoptosis through ROS accumulation and the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. These findings provide rationale for further clinical investigation of traditional Chinese medicine recipes against liver fibrosis.

Qindan-capsule inhibits proliferation of adventitial fibroblasts and collagen synthesis

AIMS

Qindan-capsule (QC) is a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. We investigated the effect and mechanism of QC-containing serum on proliferation of aortal adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) and composition of extracellular matrix (ECM). We also tested whether the Smad3 signaling pathway is activated in the progress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AFs were cultured by tissue explant in vitro. The proliferation of AFs induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and affected by QC-containing serum with high or low dose was detected by MTT. The protein and mRNA expressions of Smad3 and Procollagen I were observed by Western blot and Real-time PCR respectively.

RESULTS

Western blot and Real-time PCR revealed that after being activated by TGF-beta1 for 24h, the expressions of Smad3, Pho-Smad3 and Procollagen I were all higher than those in the control group. But these functions were inhibited, to some extent in different doses, by QC-containing serum. So that the proliferation of AFs which was evaluated by MTT.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested QC-containing serum has significantly improved proliferation of AFs and composition of extracellular matrix. TGF-beta1/Smad3 signaling pathway may be involved in the mechanism.

Effect of Jiazhu on α-SMA and TGF-β1 expression in rats with hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate the effect of Jiazhu on α-SMA and TGF-β1 expression in the liver of rats with hepatic fibrosis and its anti-fibrosis mechanism.

METHODS: A model of rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by injecting 40% CCl4, which was interfered with high [2.0 g/(kg·d)], medium [1.0 g/(kg·d)] and low doses [0.5 g/(kg·d)] of Jiazhu. Hepatic function and serum TGF-β1 were examined. Expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.

RESULTS: Compared with the model group, the levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly decreased in the high, medium and low Jiazhu dose groups. Total protein and albumin increased while serum bilirub and TGF-β1 were significantly reduced. The expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in liver tissue was decreased. The mRNA expression, stained area and gray scale of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in the high, medium and low Jiazhu dose groups were significantly different compared with the model group(α-SMA: 9.21 ± 1.12、12.63 ± 2.42、14.23 ± 1.57 vs 16.32 ± 2.14, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05; TGF-β1 mRNA: 5.58 ± 0.80、8.62 ± 1.16、11.92 ± 1.35 vs 14.57±1.59, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.01), (dyeing area of α-SMA: 9.21% ± 1.29%、12.63% ± 1.44%、14.23% ± 1.41% vs 16.32% ± 1.75%, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05; dyeing area of TGF-β1: 5.31% ± 0.70%、8.37% ± 1.09%、11.92% ± 1.42% vs 14.47% ± 1.48%, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.01), (gray scale of α-SMA: 91.29 ± 9.53、99.55 ± 11.83、107.18 ± 12.06 vs 116.44 ± 12.97, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05; gray scale of TGF-β1: 89.96 ± 9.64、106.92 ± 13.90、110.50 ± 12.91 vs 127.13 ± 14.88, P < 0.01、P < 0.01、P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Jiazhu can inhibit rat hepatic fibrosis induced by CCL₄.

Therapeutic role of ethanolic extract of Boschniakia Rossica in dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in rats

AIM: To study the effect of Boschniakia Rossica ethanolic extract (BREE) in rat liver fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN).

METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced by DMN administration intraperitoneally. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group (GA, n = 10), hepatic fibrosis model group (GB, n = 15) and BREE treatment group (GC, n = 10). From the 1st to 3rd wk, rats in GB and GC were treated with DMN (10 g/L) intraperitoneally in the first three days of each week, while rats in GA were treated with normal saline. From the 4th to 7th wk, rats in GC were treated with 50 g/L BREE (10 mL/kg) intragastrically each day, while rats in GA and GB were treated with normal saline. At the 1st d of the 8th wk, all the rats were sacrificed and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), hyaluronic acid (HA), type Ⅲ procollagen (PC Ⅲ), type Ⅳ collagen (Ⅳ.C) in serum were examined. The expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in liver was also analyzed.

RESULTS: The activity of SOD (98.58±17.36 kNU/L, 9.99±1.69 kNU/L) and GSH-PX (117.37±45.24 U, 12.43±2.99 U) in serum and liver tissue in GB was significantly lower than those in GA (SOD: 129.05±18.55 kNU/L, 19.94±5.87 kNU/L; GSH-PX: 173.79±25.76 U, 22.66±6.99 U)(P < 0.01), while the contents of MDA in GB (10.87±1.23 μmol/L, 1.38±0.37 μmol/L) were higher than those in GA (6.63±1.05 μmol/L, 0.91±0.25 μmol/L)(P < 0.01). The concentrations of serum HA (394.83±103.28 μg/L), PC Ⅲ (13.30±1.88 mg/L) and Ⅳ.C (2.43±1.32 mg/L) in GB were markedly higher than those in GA (186.54±39.87 μg/L, 6.99±1.55 mg/L, 1.18±0.79 mg/L, P < 0.01). The concentrations of serum HA (115.87±13.96 μg/L), PC Ⅲ (6.67±1.86 mg/L) and Ⅳ.C (1.62±0.50 mg/L) in GC were significantly lower than those in GB (P < 0.05), while the activity of SOD (134.29±21.93 kNU/L, 18.99±6.86 kNU/L) and GSH-PX (171.82±37.50 U, 23.57±7.19 U) in serum and liver tissue increased significantly (P < 0.01). The contents of MDA in serum and tissue in GC (8.68±2.32 μmol/L, 0.97±0.22 μmol/L) was lower than those in GB (10.87±1.23, 1.38±0.37 μmol/L)(P < 0.01). The fibrosis index and α-SMA expression in liver decreased in GC too.

CONCLUSION: BREE plays an anti-fibrogenic role in the DMN-induced liver fibrosis of rat by its anti-oxidative effect and inhibition on hepatic stellate cells activation.

Effects of No.2 earthworm extract on expression of TGF-β1, TIMP-1 and MMP-13 in rats with hepatic fibrosis

AIM: To investigate the effects of No.2 Earthworm extract (EE2) on the expression of TGF-β1, TIMP-1 and MMP-13 of in rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride.

METHODS: Fifty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group (N group, 6 rats), normal control group (NC group, 6 rats), model group (M group, 10 rats), positive control group (PC group, 10 rats), high dose of EE2 group (Eh group, 10 rats) and low dose of EE2 group (El group, 10 rats). The rats in M, PC, Eh and El groups were given the mixture of CCl4 and peanut oil (2:3 except the first dose) to induce liver fibrosis, 2 mL/kg sc twice a week. Eh and El groups were also treated with high (0.05 g/kg) and low (0.025 g/kg) doses of EE2, respectively, ig once a day; PC group was treated with colchicine, 0.1 mg/kg ig once a day; M and NC groups were given distilled water, 10 mL/kg ig once a day; and NC group was only administrated with peanut oil, 2 mL/kg sc twice a week. At the end of 8 wk all the survived rats were killed. The expression of mRNA and proteins of TGF-β1, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: The levels of mRNA and protein of TGF-β1 and TIMP-1 in liver were significantly reduced in Eh and El groups compared with those in M group (TGF-β1 mRNA: 0.68±0.16 vs 0.90±0.29, 0.66±0.14 vs 0.90±0.29, the latter P <0.05; TIMP-1 mRNA: 1.01±0.22 vs 2.48±1.18, 1.21±0.38 vs 2.48±1.18, P <0.01. TGF-β1 protein: 3.14±2.67 vs 8.22±2.99, 3.60±1.90 vs 8.22±2.99, P <0.01; TIMP-1 protein: 3.57±2.23 vs 7.56±3.40, 3.30±2.67 vs 7.56±3.40, P <0.01); while the levels of mRNA and protein of MMP-13 in liver significantly increased in Eh and El groups compared with those in M group (MMP-13 mRNA: 1.69±0.75 vs 0.62±0.21, 1.82±0.71 vs 0.62±0.21, P <0.01; MMP-13 proteins: 7.71±1.25 vs 4.67±2.45, P <0.05; 8.50±2.88 vs 4.67±2.45, P <0.01).

CONCLUSION: EE2 significantly inhibit the development of liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl₄, and its underlying mechanism might relate to decreasing the expression of TGF-β1 and TIMP-1, and increasing that of MMP-13.

Expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and para-cancerous tissues, and their significance

AIM: Transforming growth factor b1 (TGF-b1) signaling pathway is involved in a variety of important cellular regulative functions. including cell growth, differentiation, adhesion migration, extracellular matrix formation and immune regulation. The study was aimed to evaluate the relationship and mechanism of transforming growth factor b1 protein and smad4 mRNA in formation and development of fibrosis by detecting the expression of transforming growth factor b1 protein and smad4 mRNA in liver biopsy of chronic virus hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis and para-cancerous tissues.

METHODS: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used in 10 cases of normal liver tissue, 17 cases of para-cancerous tissues, 70 cases of chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis.

RESULTS: Increased expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA in the intermediate degree of chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis; the positive rates of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA were obviously higher in the chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis (83.3%, 87.0% and 87.5%, 87.0%) than those in the normal liver (20.0%, 20.0%), the expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA had a significant relationship between the intermediate degree of chronic virus hepatitis, hepatocirrhosis and the normal liver (^b3P <0.01, χ² = 12.3980; ^b4P <0.01, χ² = 14.0 609; ^b1P <0.01, χ² = 14.6 953; ^b2P <0.01, χ² = 14.0 609); the expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA in pare-cancerous tissues were significantly lower than that in the chronic virus hepatitis and hepatocirrhosis, as comparied with with the normal liver; the expression of TGF-b1 and smad4 mRNA reached the highest level at the stage S3, and decreased slightly at the stage S4, with positive relevance (χ² = 4.5 064, P = 0.0 336, r = 0.2 668), in which most of the positive cells were distributed surroundings of portal tract, central vein, and the sinus.

CONCLUSION: TGF-b/smad pathway plays a significant role in formation and development of hepatic fibrosis, and the localization of TGF-b1 and smad4mRNA in hepatic tissue section can be used to evaluate accurately situation and tendency of hepatic fibrosis.