[An experimental study on the effect of Maotai liquor on the liver].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect on liver and the mechanism of preventing hepatic fibrosis by drinking Kweichow Moutai liquor (Maotai).


METHODS
(1) After ingested with Maotai for 56 days consecutively, the male SD rats were decollated for detecting metallothioneins and MDA content in liver tissues; (2) Culturing rat hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and human HSC in vitro, observing the effect of Maotai on HSC's proliferation and collagen synthesis; (3) After male SD rats were ingested with Maotai for 14 weeks consecutively, the livers were harvested for pathohistological examination.


RESULTS
(1) Metallothioneins content in the liver of Maotai-induced rats increased by 22 folds, the production of hepatic lipid peroxide, MDA was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in Maotai-induced animals suffering from CCL4; (2) Maotai demonstrate obvious inhibitory effect against proliferation of HSC, and the inhibition was concentration-dependent. gene expression and protein secretion of collagens could also be inhibited by Maotai; (3) In control alcoholic group, typical cirrhosis of liver was shaped. In Maotai group, however, though fatty degeneration of hepatocytes and mild fibrosis of interstitium were observed, no obvious hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis were found.


CONCLUSIONS
It might be an important mechanism of interfering hepatic fibrosis progressing that Maotai induces the increase of metallothioneins content in the liver, inhibits the activation HSC and the synthesis of collagen protein.
Cheng
Ming-liang
ML
Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital, Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang 550004, China.
Wu
Jun
J
Zhang
Wen-sheng
WS
Wang
Hai-qin
HQ
Li
Cheng-xiu
CX
Huang
Neng-hui
NH
Yao
Yu-mei
YM
Ren
Lan-zheng
LZ
Ye
Lan
L
Li
Ling
L
D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D003094:Collagen; D008668:Metallothionein