[Effects of Fuzheng Huayu Decoction on plasma proteome in cirrhosis: preliminary experimental study with rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of Fuzheng Huayu Decoction on plasma proteome in cirrhosis.


METHODS
Twenty-six male S-D rats were randomly divided into three groups, cirrhotic model group (n = 10), treated with CCl4 (CCl4/olive oil: v/v = 1:1), Fuzheng Huayu Decoction intervention group (n = 10), treated with CCl4 + Fuzheng Huayu Decoction, and normal control group (n = 6), treated with olive oil only. After 8 weeks, blood sample was collected from the vena cava inferior to undergo bi-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and analysis by PDQuest 7.3 software. Differential protein spots were cut, enzyme hydrolysis was conducted, and peptide fragments extracted from the mixture underwent mass spectrometry with MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS. The liver fibrogenesis was assessed by digital image analysis instrument of Masson's trichrome stained sections.


RESULTS
The fibrosis area of the Fuzheng Huayu Decoction was 9% +/- 4%, significantly smaller than that of the cirrhotic model group (12% +/- 5%, P < 0.05). Ten markedly changed protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS. Eight of the 10 proteins, including plasma glutathione peroxidase, plasma glutathione peroxidase precursor, prealbumin, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein A-IV precursor, complement C4, inter-alpha-inhibitor H4 heavy chain, and serine/threonine-protein kinase MARK1 (microtubule- affinity regulating kinase 1) were expressed very lowly in the cirrhotic model group while were expressed highly in the Fuzheng Huayu Decoction group. The expression of liver regeneration-related protein LRRG03 and vimentin increased in the cirrhotic model group, and reduced in the Fuzheng Huayu Decoction group.


CONCLUSIONS
Some proteins related to oxidative stress, cell proliferation and transformation have changed in the plasma of cirrhosis induced by CCl4. Fuzheng Huayu Decoction promotes protein synthesis and plays an anti-fibrotic role by antioxidation and accommodation of cell proliferation and transformation.
Liu
Jie
J
Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Wang
Ji-Yao
JY
Wei
Li-Ming
LM
Lu
Ye
Y
Jin
Hong
H
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D001798:Blood Proteins; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C532829:fuzheng huayu