Significance and Expression of TRAIL in Bile Duct Occlusive Fibrosis of Rats

Objective To investigate the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) in bile duct occlusive fibrosis of rats and the effects of silymarin on the expression of TRAIL.Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:fibrotic model group,sham operation group,silymarin treatment group.The liver fibrosis model was induced by the ligation of common bile ducts in rats.Four weeks later,serum levels of TRAIL were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;serum hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LN) and procollagen type Ⅲ(PC Ⅲ) levels were detected by radioimmunoassay;the expressions of TRAIL in liver tissues were assessed by immunohistochemical staining.Results Serum TRAIL level in fibrotic model group were significantly higher than that in sham operation group and treatment group(P 0.05) ;serum TRAIL levels were consistent with the expression of TRAIL in liver tissues;serum TRAIL levels were positively correlated with serum HA,LN and PC Ⅲ levels.Conclusion TRAIL may play an accelerated role in the development of hepatic fibrosis in rats;silymarin may reduce the degree of liver fibrosis by decreasing the expression of TRAIL.