[Effect of Rhein on the development of hepatic fibrosis in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of rhein on the development of hepatic fibrosis.


METHODS
The animal models were made with carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) mixed with vegetable oil (3/2, v/v), which was injected subcutaneously twice a week for 6 weeks, and with 5% ethanol for free drinking water. At the same time, Rhein was administrated at the dose of 25 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg once a day for 6 weeks. The changes of both biochemical markers, such as the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III (PCIII) in serum and SOD, malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, and related histopathological parametres were determined.


RESULTS
Compared with the model group, there were three kinds of changes in the larger quantity of rhein treated group. (1) The levels of ALT, HA, PCIII in serum and MDA in liver homogenate were decreased significantly (from 150 U/L +/- 16 U/L to 78 U/L +/- 18 U/L, 321 microg/L +/- 97 microg/L to 217 microg/L +/- 75 microg/L, 31 microg/L +/- 14 microg/L to 16 microg/L +/- 6 microg/L and 3.67 nmol/mg +/- 0.68 nmol/mg to 1.88 nmol/mg +/- 0.34 nmol/mg, respectively, t > or 2.977, P<0.01). However the level of SOD in liver was increased (from 62.45 NU/mg +/- 8.74 NU/mg to 91.26 NU/mg +/- 14.04 NU/mg, t=4.453, P<0.01). (2) The expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in liver were markedly reduced (P<0.05 and P<0.01). (3) The collagen staining positive area was decreased and the grade of fibrosis was reduced significantly in liver (P<0.05 and P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Rhein can protect hepatocyte from injury and prevent the progress of hepatic fibrosis in rats, which may associate with that rhein plays a role in antioxidation, anti-inflammation, inhibiting the expression of TGF-beta1 and suppressing the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).
Guo
Mei-zi
MZ
Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China.
Li
Xiao-sheng
XS
Shen
Ding-ming
DM
Guan
Xiao-qin
XQ
Xu
Hai-rong
HR
Gao
Jian
J
D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D000880:Anthraquinones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; C508962:Tgfb1 protein, rat; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D003094:Collagen; C020491:rhein