The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and osteopontin in hepatic tissue of rats with hepatic fibrosis and the intervention of total flavone of Litchi Chinensis Sonn

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavone of litchi chinensis sonn(TFL) on the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and osteopontin(OPN) in rats with hepatic fibrosis. Methods Total 80 males SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated group(SO group),model group(M group),high-dose TFL group(HD group),low-dose TFL group(LD group). Rat models with hepatic fibrosis were constructed by common bile duct ligation. All rats were sacrificed 4 weeks after the administration,and serum levels of hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LN),procolagen type Ⅲ(PC Ⅲ) and Ⅳ collagen(C Ⅳ) were detected by radioimmunoassay. HE and Masson staining were conducted in hepatic tissues to observe the pathological variations; and the expressions of TGF-β1 and OPN were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Serum levels of HA,LN,PC Ⅲ and C Ⅳ,and the expressions of TGF-β1 and OPN in hepatic tissues in HD group were significantly lower than those in LD group and M group(P 0.05). Conclusion High-dose of TFL may effectively ameliorate liver injury and hepatic fibrosis through the mechanisms of inhibiting the high expressions of TGF-β1 and OPN and decreasing the secretion of ECM.