Expression Of TGF-β 1mRNA And α-SMA In Jiajiansanjiasan Treated Hepatic Fibrosis Rat

Objective:To observe the effect of jiajiansanjiasan(JJSJS, modified Sanjiasan decoction) on transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA (TGF-β1 mRNA) and alpha-sooth muscle actin (α-SMA) of hepatic tissue in hepatic fibrotic rats and to investigate the hepatic-protective effects of JJSJS in hepatic fibrotic rats and the relevant mechanism in the hope that new theoretical therapeutic guidance may be found for liver fibrosis by using Chinese traditional medicine.Methods:Seventy clean animal male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, model group, colchicine group and JJSJS group. All rats except those in the normal group were induced to liver fibrosis by intraperitoneal injection of 40% carbon tetrachloride. Corresponding agents were given to each group orally once every day for 8 weeks. The general health state was observed daily. All rats were killed at the end of 8th week. Changes of liver slices with HE staining method were observed under optic microscope (OM) and hepatic cellular ultra microstructures were observed with the help of scanning electronic microscope (SEM). TGF-β1mRNA was examined via in situ hybridization and expression ofα-SMA was observed with the immunohistochemical method.Results:1. General state:compared with the one in the colchicines group, rats in the JJSJS group were better in terms of general activity, appetite, colors and lustre of skins as well as body weight etc.2.Morphological changes of rats'liver tissues:the general hepatic structure was damaged and hepatic cellular degeneration, necrosis accompanied by fibroblasts infiltration, proliferation of fibrotic tissues, formation of pseudolobuli in partial liver tissues, endoplastic reticulum expansion, mitochondria swelling, collagen hyperplasia in the Dane's space were observed in the model group. While pathologic changes in the treatment group was much better and the JJSJS group seems to be better than that of colchicines group.3. Expression of TGF-β1mRNA in hepatic tissues:compared with the normal group, the model group showed higher expression of TGF-β1mRNA. While in the treatment group, its expression decreased significantly (P<0.01) and the JJSJS group showed lower expression than that in the colchicines group (P<0.05)4. Expression ofα-SMA in hepatic tissues:expression ofα-SMA was higher in the model group than that in the normal group, lower in the treatment group than that in the model group significantly (P<0.01) and the JJSJS group showed lower expression than that in the colchicines group (P<0.05)Conclusions:1. JJSJS is helpful to improve the general health situation of rats in terms of activity, appetite, skin color and luster and body weight.2. JJSJS reduces the fibrotic degree of rats hepatic tissue significantly which means that this formular has powerful anti-fibrosis effect.3. JJSJS inhibits expression of TGF-β1mRNA in hepatic tissues by which it suppresses the activation, proliferation of HSC and the formation of collagens. This formula can also down regulate expression ofα-SMA by which it reduces yield of extra-cellular matrix thus is effective to go against the liver fibrosis.