Effect of Chinese medicine Qinggan Huoxuefang on inducing HSC apoptosis in alcoholic liver fibrosis rats

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 (CCl(4))(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 CCl(4) in olive oil twice a week for 12 wk. The CCl(4) 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 (gamma-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 CCl(4) 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(1,972+/-366 vs 2,777+/-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.

Figure 1

Analysis of liver pathology of each group (HE×200). A: normal group; B: model group; C: CCl₄ group; D: high dose group.

Figure 2

QGHXF induced apoptotic rate of HSC (n = 6, mean ± SD). There were significant differences between model group and QGHXF groups. ^aP < 0.05 vs model group. ^bP < 0.01 vs model group.

Figure 3

TUNEL assay of each group. A: High dose; B: Model; C: Normal; Counterstained with hematoxylin ( original magnification, ×400).

Figure 4

Gene expression profile of each group.