Effects of Guiyuanfang and autologous transplantation of bone marrow stem cells on rats with liver fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the therapeutic effects of Guiyuanfang and bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) on rats with liver fibrosis.


METHODS
Liver fibrosis model was induced by carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, high lipid and assessed biochemically and histologically. Liver function and hydroxyproline contents of liver tissue were determined. Serum hyaluronic acid (HA) level and procollagen III level were performed by radioimmunoassay. The VG staining was used to evaluate the collagen deposit in the liver. Immunohistochemical SABC methods were used to detect transplanted BMSCs and expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA).


RESULTS
Serum transaminase level and liver fibrosis in rats were markedly reduced by Guiyuanfang and BMSCs. HA level and procollagen III level were also reduced obviously, compared to model rats (HA: 47.18+/-10.97 ng/mL, 48.96+/-14.79 ng/mL; PCIII: 22.48+/-5.46 ng/mL, 26.90+/-3.35 ng/mL; P<0.05). Hydroxyproline contents of liver tissue in both BMSCs group and Guiyuanfang group were far lower than that of model group (1 227.2+/-43.1 microg/g liver tissue, 1390.8+/-156.3 microg/g liver tissue; P<0.01). After treatment fibrosis scores were also reduced. Both Guiyuanfang and BMSCs could increase the expression of uPA. The transplanted BMSCs could engraft, survive, and proliferate in the liver.


CONCLUSIONS
Guiyuanfang protects against liver fibrosis. Transplanted BMSCs may engraft, survive, and proliferate in the fibrosis livers indefinitely. Guiyuanfang may synergize with BMSCs to improve recovery from liver fibrosis.
Wu
Li-Mao
LM
Institute of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, Zhejiang Province, China. wulimao@yahoo.com.cn
Li
Lian-Da
LD
Liu
Hong
H
Ning
Ke-Yong
KY
Li
Yi-Kui
YK
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007633:Keratins; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine