Effects of Interleukin-10 on Expression of α-Smooth Muscle Actin and Nuclear Factor-κB in Hepatic Stellate Cells in Fibrotic Rat Liver

Objective To study the effects of interleukin-10 on the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) in hepatic stellate cells in experimental rat hepatic fibrosis. Methods 60 SD rats were divided into control group(group N), the model group(group C) and the IL-10 treated group(group I) randomly. Rat hepatic fibrosis model induced by CCl 4 was established, and treated with IL-10 from the 3rd week. Hepatic stellate cells were isolated from these rats at the 7th and 11th weeks during the course of liver fibrosis, respectively. The expression of α-SMA and NF-κB in HSC were measured by S-P immunohistochemistry. Results The positive expression of α-SMA and NF-κB in group N was 36.5% and 28.5% respectively and the positive immunochemical score was (0.64±0.05) and (0.43±0.08) respectively. The positive levels for α-SMA and NF-κB in group C were increased significantly compare to group N(P0.01). Their positive score in group C in the 7th week was (2.43±0.03) and (1.73±0.09), respectively, in the 11th week the score was (2.47±0.14) and (2.48±0.70), respectively. The positive score decreased significantly(P0.05) in group I. In the 7th week and the 11th week, their positive score was (2.14±0.11) and (1.62±0.10), (2.09±0.06) and (1.92±0.42), respectively. In the 11th week, the HSC in group Ⅰ became round and the nuclear pyknosis. Conclusion The positive expression of α-SMA and NF-κB in hepatic stellate cells was decreased by ectogenic IL-10 in liver fibrosis induced by CCl 4. The IL-10 inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells.