title: [Effects of paeoniflorin on expressions of CTGF, PDGF and TNF-alpha in mice with hepatic fibrosis due to Schistosoma japonicum infection].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effects of paeoniflorin on the expressions of CTGF and PDGF in liver tissue of fibrosis and the serum level of TNF-alpha in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum, and to explore the protective effect and its mechanisms of paeoniflorin on liver fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kunming mice were divided randomly into 5 groups, namely normal control group (Group A), paeoniflorin groups (Group B, C, D) and infected control group (Group E). The mice in Group B-E were infected with cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum, and then they were treated with praziquantel (400 mg/kg per day) for 2 days after 6 weeks. After that, the mice in Group B, C, D were given paeoniflorin with a dose of 30, 60, 120 mg/(kg x d), respectively. After 8 weeks of paeoniflorin treatment, all the mice were killed, and their livers and serum were obtained. Hematoxylin and eosin stain and Masson stain were used to observe the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expressions of CTGF and PDGF in liver tissue. The serum level of TNF-alpha was detected by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression levels of CTGF and PDGF proteins in liver tissue and the serum level of TNF-alpha of the mice in the high dosage paeoniflorin treatment group (Group D) were significantly lower than those in the infected control group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of paeoniflorin on hepatic fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection depends on its dosage. Paeoniflorin may exert its effects by inhibiting the serum level of TNF-alpha and down regulating the expression of CTGF and PDGF proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China. huixiaowh@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Guang-Bin
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hui-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001565:Benzoates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005960:Glucosides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000502:physiology*; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D006027:Glycosides
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D001952:Bridged-Ring Compounds; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D005960:Glucosides; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C526318:CCN2 protein, mouse; C015423:peoniflorin; D006027:Glycosides