[Effect of ronggan mixture on cell apoptosis in rats with chronic immune liver injury induced by concanavalin A].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of Ronggan Mixture (RGM) on cell apoptosis by observing the expressions of apoptosis-related genes (Fasl and Bcl-2) in transgenic mice with chronic liver immune injury induced by concanavalin A (ConA).


METHODS
Seventy-four transgenic mice were divided into 6 groups, the model group, the normal group, and the treated groups treated respectively with biphenyldicarboxylate (DDB), oriental wormwood (OWW), Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD) and RGM. Pathologic changes of liver tissue were observed by light microscopy, number of apoptotic cells were determined by TUNEL method, and expressions of apoptosis-related genes, Fasl and Bcl-2, in hepatic T lymphocyte were detected by flow cytometer.


RESULTS
Evident pathological changes of liver appeared in the model mice, showed severely destroyed structure of hepatic lobules. As compared with the model group, the changes of liver fibrosis and cell necrosis were much lessened in the RGM group and the YCHD group (P < 0.05). The protein expression of apoptotic gene Fasl and the apoptotic index in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.05), but that of the apoptotic inhibiting gene, Bcl-2, in model mice was similar to that in normal mice. As compared with the model group, apoptosis index decreased (P < 0.01), levels of Fasl expression was lower and Bcl-2 expression was higher in the RGM group and the YCHD group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the effect of the two was similar, but significantly superior to that of OWW and DDB (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The Chinese compound, RGM and YCHD can not only relieve the hepatic pathological injury, but also reduce the cell apoptosis in chronic liver immune injury mice through regulating the expressions of Fasl and Bcl-2.
Wang
Feng-yun
FY
Laboratory Center, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing.
Tang
Xu-dong
XD
Xu
Yong-gang
YG
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000293:injuries; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D003208:Concanavalin A