[Effect of Baoganning on serum and hepatic leptin and its receptor levels in rats with liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism underlying the protective effects of a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, Baoganning, against liver fibrosis. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to injection of carbon tetrachloride- peanut oil mixture and given daily 5% alcoholic beverage, and 2 days after the injection, Baoganning was administered intragastrically at two different doses for 6 weeks. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect serum leptin level, and immunohistochemistry employed to examine the effect of Baoganning on expressions of leptin and its receptor in the liver tissue of the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the rats in the liver fibrosis model group and Baoganning-treated groups showed significantly increased serum leptin levels (P<0.01), and the serum leptin level was significantly lower in Baoganning group than in the liver fibrosis model group (P<0.01). Baoganning significantly reduced the hepatic expression of leptin and OB-Rb in rats with liver fibrosis in comparison with their expression in the model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Baoganning can effectively ameliorate liver fibrosis in rats possibly through reducing serum leptin level and inhibiting hepatic leptin and its receptor expressions.