CYP11B2 expression in rat liver and the effect of spironolactone on hepatic fibrogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
In consideration of the hypothetical possibility that locally produced aldosterone is likely to take an active part in fibrogenesis of the liver, we undertook the present study to investigate the expression of aldosterone synthase gene CYP11B2 in rat liver and the curative effect of spironolactone on fibrosis of the liver.


METHODS
160 Wistar rats weighing about 250 g were divided into four groups as follows: model group, spironolactone group, malotilate group and control group. After 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Morphological examination was based on microscopic and electron microscopic findings. The area of collagen was examined by an Image Analyse System (Leica). By means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization, the expression of CYP11B2 was detected.


RESULTS
The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA, which was localized in the endoplasm of fat-storing cells, was upregulated when fibrogenesis occurred. The grade of fibrosis and the area of collagen in the spironolactone group were less than those in the model group before the 6th week (p < 0.05). After the 6th week, there was no significant difference between the spironolactone group and the model group (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of CYP11B2 mRNA is upregulated in fibrotic liver. Spironolactone can partly have a fibrogenesis-inhibiting effect in the early stage of CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrogenesis.
Yang
X
X
PLA Institute for Digestive Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, The First Medical University of PLA, Guangzhou, China. lixu@fimmu.edu.cn
Li
X
X
Wu
P
P
Meng
Y
Y
Li
S
S
Lai
W
W
D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013148:Spironolactone; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D019405:Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2