title: Effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in fibrotic liver of rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Danshao Huaxian (DSHX) capsules, a preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the fibrous livers of rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (group A), CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrosis group (group B), non-DSHX-treated group (group C), low dose-treated group (group D), and high dose-treated group (group E). Fibrous liver models in rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl(4), oral administration of alcohol and high-lipid/low-protein diet for 8 wk. After the models were established, the rats in groups D and E were orally given a low dose (0.5 g/kg) and a high dose (1.0 g/kg) of DSHX daily for 8 wk, respectively. Then, the liver indexes, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were examined. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by optical microscopy. Hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the urine was determined, and the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 was detected by immunohistochemical techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In groups D and E, the liver indexes, levels of serum HA and ALT reduced and development of hepatic fibrosis weakened significantly. The urinary Hyp and expression of MMP-1 in the liver tissues elevated, but the expression of TIMP-1 decreased obviously, as compared to groups B and C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DSHX enhances the expression of MMP-1 but decreases that of TIMP-1 in liver tissues of CCl(4)-induced hepatic fibrotic rats, which may result in its elevated activity that contributes to fighting against hepatic fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou Province, China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ru-Jia
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xiao-Xia
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Xin-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Ming-Liang
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1