[Effects of Wenyang Chubi Decoction on connective tissue growth factor and collagen-I in a mouse model of scleroderma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of Wenyang Chubi Decoction (WYCBD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and collagen-I (COL-I) in a mouse model of scleroderma.


METHODS
Scleroderma was induced in BALB/c mice by daily local injection of bleomycin for three weeks and the mice were randomly divided into untreated, WYCBD-treated and normal saline (NS) treated groups, with another group of BALB/c mice as normal control. WYCBD and NS were given orally for one month respectively. Histopathology in the skin and lungs of the mice were examined. The CTGF and COL-I expressions in the skin or skin lesions were detected by immunohistochemical Elivision assay.


RESULTS
The expression levels of CTGF and COL-I in the untreated group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P<0.05). Compared with the NS-treated group, the WYCBD-treated group had significant improvement in the skin and lung histopathology and remarkably decreased expression levels of CTGF and COL-I (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Scleroderma mice showed high expressions of CTGF and COL-I in the skin. WYCBD had the effects of decreasing the CTGF and COL-I expressions and improving the skin fibrosis.
Yan
Xiao-ning
XN
Department of Dermatology, Second Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shannxi Province 710004, China.
Feng
Jie
J
Li
Wen-bin
WB
Cui
Rong
R
Shi
Bin-jun
BJ
D000818:Animals; D001761:Bleomycin; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011897:Random Allocation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism
C526318:CCN2 protein, mouse; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D001761:Bleomycin; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor