Effect of JinSanE on expression of TGF-β_1,Smad3,Smad7 and CTGF in experimental rats with hepatic fibrosis

To investigate the effect and mechanism of JinSanE on liver fibrosis induced by exposure to carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) in rats. Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: healthy controls group,CCl4 model group, Chinese herbs group 1, and group 2. Rats exposed to CCl4 were treated with JinSanE starting at the first and fourth week respectively after CCl4.The expression of transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-β1), Smad3, Smad7 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in liver tissues and their locations in cells were determined by immunohistochemical method.The liver histopathology was observed by an electron-microscope.The content of serum hyaluronic acid(HA) was determined by radioimmunoassay. The expression of TGF-β1, Smad3 and CTGF was decreased and the expression of Smad7 was increased in liver tissues of rats exposed to CCl4 after the treatment of JinSanE(P0.05).The TGF-β1, Smad3 and CTGF,as the immuno-positive reaction signals, were mainly expressed in cytoplasm of fiber septum, while Smad7 was mainly in liver cytoplasm.The cell structure in rats treated with Chinese herbs was normal electron-microscopicaly, fibrous tissue was becoming thin.The content of HA was obviously higher in model group than that of healthy group(P0.01).When compared with the model rats, the content of serum HA was lower obviously in the two groups than that treated with JinSanE(P0.05).[Conclusion] The Chinese herbs JinSanE has protective effect against the liver injury and can inhibit liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 exposure in rats.The mechanisms may be consisted in its ability of down-regulating TGF-β1, smad3 and CTGF,and up-regulating Smad7 in rats.