Basic Research
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2006; 12(13): 2047-2052
Published online Apr 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i13.2047
Effect of Chinese medicine Qinggan Huoxuefang on inducing HSC apoptosis in alcoholic liver fibrosis rats
Guang Ji, Lei Wang, Shui-Hua Zhang, Jian-Wen Liu, Pei-Yong Zheng, Tao Liu
Guang Ji, Lei Wang, Tao Liu, Laboratory of Liver Disease, Longhua Hospital , Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
Pei-Yong Zheng, Clinic Evaluation Center, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
Shui-Hua Zhang, Jian-Wen Liu, Department of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Shanghai Rising-Star program, No. 03QMH1410
Correspondence to: Dr Guang Ji, Laboratory of Liver Disease, Long Hua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Shanghai 200032, China. jiliver@vip.sina.com
Telephone: +86-21-64868999 Fax: +86-21-64286261
Received: September 14, 2005
Revised: November 1, 2005
Accepted: November 11, 2005
Published online: April 7, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effect of Qinggan Huoxuefang (QGHXF) on improvement of liver function and pathology in rats, and to analyze the mechanism.

METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into three groups at random: normal control group (12),micro-amount carbon tetrachloride group (CCl4)(12) and model group A (60). The model group A was ingested with the mixture (500 mL/L alcohol, 8 mL/kg per day; corn oil, 2 mL/kg per day; pyrazole, 24 mg/kg per day) once a day and intraperitoneal injections of 0.25 mL/kg of a 250 mL/L solution of CCl4 in olive oil twice a week for 12 wk. The CCl4 group received intraperitoneal injections only. At the end of 8 wk the model group A (60) was divided into 5 subgroups: model group, Xiaochaihu Chongji (XCH) group, QGHXF high dose group, moderate dose group and low dose group, and were given the drugs respectively. At the end of 12 wk, all the rats were killed and blood samples collected, as well as liver tissue. Blood samples were used for evaluation of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). Liver specimens were obtained for routine HE, apoptosis gene array and flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTS: A liver fibrosis animal model was successfully established. Fibrosis was obviously reduced in QGHXF high dose group, and no fibrosis formed in CCl4 group. Compared with model group the QGHXF group and XCH group could obviously decrease the level of ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT (P  < 0.05). QGHXF high dose group was better than XCH group in ALT (615 ± 190 vs 867 ± 115), and AST(1972 ± 366 vs 2777 ± 608). Moreover, QGHXF could reduce liver inflammation, fibrosis-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) apoptosis and regulate apoptosis gene expression. The HSC apoptosis rates of QGHXF groups were 22.4 ± 3.13, 13.79 ± 2.26 and 10.07 ± 1.14, higher than model group, 6.58±1.04 (P  <  0.05). Compared to model group, 39 genes were up-regulated, 11 solely expressed and 17 down-regulated in high dose group.

CONCLUSION: QGHXF can improve liver fibrosis and induce HSC apoptosis.

Keywords: Qinggan Huoxuefang; Alcoholic liver fibrosis; Apoptosis; Gene array