title: Huangqi decoction inhibits apoptosis and fibrosis, but promotes Kupffer cell activation in dimethylnitrosamine-induced rat liver fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previously, Huangqi decoction (HQD) has been found to have a potential therapeutic effect on DMN-induced liver cirrhosis. Here, the mechanisms of HQD action against liver fibrosis were investigated in relation to hepatocyte apoptosis and hepatic inflammation regulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Liver fibrosis was induced by DMN administration for 2 or 4 weeks. Hepatocyte apoptosis and of Kupffer cells (KC) and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) interaction were investigated using confocal microscopy. The principle cytokines, fibrogenic proteins and apoptotic factors were investigated using western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the DMN-water group, HQD showed decreased hepatocyte apoptosis and reduced expression of apoptotic effectors, cleaved-caspase-3, and fibrotic factors, such as smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1). However, the KC marker CD68 increased significantly in DMN-HQD liver. Confocal microscopy demonstrated widespread adhesion of KCs to HSCs in DMN-water and DMN-HQD rats liver.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HQD exhibited positive protective effects against liver fibrosis; its mechanism of action was associated with protection from hepatocyte apoptosis and the promotion of CD68 expression in the devolopment of liver fibrosis to cirrhosis development.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Gaoqiang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Gaofeng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yongping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Lijun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Mingyu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Chenghai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005355:Fibrosis; D022781:Hepatocytes; D006801:Humans; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020011:Protective Agents; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D053148:Caspase 3; D004128:Dimethylnitrosamine