[Huangqi decoction inhibits cholangiocyte proliferation and transdifferentiation in cholestatic liver fibrosis induced by BDL in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the antifibrotic mechanism of Huangqi decoction in rats with BDL-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis.


METHODS
Liver fibrosis model was induced by ligating the common bile duct (BDL) in rats. Sham-operation was performed in control rats. The BDL rats were randomly divided into two groups: the BDL group and the Huangqi decoction group. Huanqi decoction was given intragastrically for 4 weeks. At the end of the fifth week after BDL, animals were sacrificed.


RESULTS
Compared with the sham control group, mortality rate in BDL group was 33.3% and incidence rate of ascites was 90%, and hepatic function was abnormal in most of the rats in BDL group. The number of Hepatocytes was decreased and the number of cholangiocytes significantly increased in BDL group. In addition, Hyp content of liver tissue and protein expression of CK 7 and a-SMA were significantly increased. Immunostaining indicated that CK 7 and a-SMA were co-localized in BDL group. These changes were markedly suppressed by the Huangqi decoction.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations suggest that Huangqi decoction can inhibit cholangiocyte proliferation and cholangiocyte transdifferentiation.
Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
Jin-Xing
JX
DU
Bing-Feng
BF
Qiu
Ping
P
Liu
Ming-Yu
MY
Sun
Gao-Feng
GF
Chen
Jia
J
Liu
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D027883:Astragalus Plant; D027885:Astragalus propinquus; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D053552:Keratin-7 / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000199:Actins; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053552:Keratin-7; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; C027492:Huang Qi