Effect of matrine on transforming growth factor β1 and hepatocyte growth factor in rat liver fibrosis model

OBJECTIVE: To observe the preventive and control effect of matrine on transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) of liver fibrosis tissue in rats. METHODS: A total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into A, B, C, D groups with 12 in each, group A as the normal control group and groups B, C, D as liver fibrosis models using composite modulus method with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4). Group B was the model group, group C adopted γ-interferon lavage therapy in the second day of modeling, and group D adopted matrine lavage treatment, at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Six rats were executed for detection of TGF-β1 and HGF, liver tissue histology and comparison fibrosis degree changes of rat liver tissue between groups. RESULTS: Groups B, C, D showed a more significantly increased TGF-β1 at each time point compared with group A (P<0.05); Group B showed a more significantly increased TGF-β1 than groups C and D at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05); group D showed a lowest level of TGF-β1, followed by groups C and B. HGF of group B decreased more significantly than A group at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05); HGF of groups C and D was significantly elevated at 4 and 8 weeks than groups A and B (P<0.05), in which the group D showed the highest level of HGF. According to tissue histologic observation, rat liver tissue structure of group A was clear and normal, tissue structure of group B was destroyed with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia and fatty change of hepatic cells; groups C and D showed a slighter liver tissue damage, cell necrosis and connective tissue hyperplasia in collect abbacy than group B with a trend of obvious improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Matrine can reduce TGF-β1 expression and enhance the activity of HGF, so as to realize the inhibition effect on liver fibrosis in rats.