Effects of astragalus on liver ultrastructure change and IL-10 mRNA expression in growing rats with obstructive jaundice

Objective To evaluate the effects of astragalus on liver ultrastructure change and IL-10 mRNA expression in immature rats with obstructive jaundice(OJ).Methods Forty immature male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control,sham operation,OJ,and OJ+A groups.Wistar rats in OJ and OJ+A groups were subjected to common bile duct ligation(CBDL),while sham group had the bile duct mobilized but not tied.The control,sham,OJ groups were given 0.5 ml of normal saline by intraperitoneal injection daily.In OJ+A groups,250 mg/kg of astragalus injection was applied intraperitoneally daily from day 1 to 7 of the study.All animals were sacrificed on postoperative day 8.Liver tissues were collected and observed by transmitting electron microscopy.IL-10 mRNA was extracted from liver and measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Data were analyzed using chi-square test and student's test,P0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results ①Electron microscopy revealed a normal hepatocytes'ultrastructure in control and sham operation groups,but in OJ group hepatocytes showed severe mitochondrial swelling.There were slight ultrastructural alterations in OJ+A group.②The IL-10 mRNA over expression in OJ group were seen compared with control,sham,OJ+A groups.Conclusion ①In growing rat model of experimental obstructive jaundice,hepatic morphology and liver biochemical tests altered significantly.②Over expression of hepatic tissue IL-10 mRNA was demonstrated in OJ group.③The administration of astragalus can ameliorate liver ultrastructural change in obstructive jaundice.Astragalus injection can diminish expression of IL-10 mRNA in hepatic tissue,thus administration of astragalus may be effective in preventing hepatic fibrosis in obstructive jaundice.Further studies are required to delineate the mechanisms of protective effects of astragalus.