[Gene expression of interstitial collagenase MMP-13 in progressive phase of rat liver fibrosis induced by ethanol].
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the gene expression of MMP-13 in the progressive phase of ethanol-induced experimental liver fibrosis in rats.


METHODS
34 SD rats were randomized into two groups. The rats in experimental group (n=24) were given ethanol (44%, 7g/kg) every day, and the rats in control group (n=10) were given equality normal saline. Liver samples were harvested from experimental rats at the 4th, 12th and 24th weeks respectively. The dynamic expression of MMP-13 mRNA was assayed by semi-quantity reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
In normal rat liver, a faint band of MMP-13 mRNA was observed by RT-PCR (0.24+/-0.41). The gene expression of MMP-13 increased in the livers of rats treated with ethanol for 4 weeks (0.62+/-0.54), but it was not considered statistically, when compared with that in normal rats livers. And the livers from 12-week-treated rats showed a markedly MMP-13 mRNA expression (1.65+/-0.47, t=-4.363, P<0.01). Once the fibrosis became prominent (24 weeks), a faint band of MMP-13 mRNA was observed (0.39+/-0.25).


CONCLUSIONS
MMP-13 participates in the degradation of newly-formed matrix in the early phase of rat liver fibrosis induced by ethanol, but it expresses in a distinct time frame
Zhu
Guo-fang
GF
Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical School, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Yu
Chao-hui
CH
Zhang
Yu
Y
Li
You-ming
YM
D000818:Animals; D017364:Collagenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D000431:Ethanol; D015870:Gene Expression; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000431:Ethanol; D017364:Collagenases; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; C507083:Mmp13 protein, rat