Effect of the Chinese herbs on the expression of HGF m RNA in CCl_4-induced hepatic fibrosis rats

Objective To study the mechanism of preventive effect of Chinese herbs on the CCl 4 induced hepatic fibrosis at molecular level. Methods After hepatic fibrosis model of rat was established with CCl 4 and Chinese herbs were administrated at the same time of CCl 4 injection, the level of HGF mRNA expression,biochemical and hepatic fibrosis parameters, and pathologic changes were determined. Results The concentration of ALT,AST, HA, LN, PLD and PCⅢ in serum of hepatic fibrosis rat, and the level of HGF mRNA expression in liver of hepatic fibrosis rat determined by RT PCR increased compared with those of control group, while A/G decreased(P0.01). After Chinese herbs were administrated by mouth into rat at the same time of CCl 4 injection, the level of HGF mRNA expression in liver cells was higher, but the concentration of HA, LN, PLD and PCⅢ in serum were lower than those of the group of hepatic fibrosis model, while A/G was higer(P0.01). Conclusions Connecting the biochemisty and hepatic fibrosis parameters, the early diagnosis could be made. Increasing of HGF mRNA in rat liver was involved when hepatic fibrosis occurred, and Chinese herbs could prevent hepatic fibrosis by promoting HGF gene expression.