Effects of Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian on mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and its downstream molecules in livers of rats with hepatic fibrosis

[Objective]To evaluate the effectiveness of Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian on mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1α)and its downstream molecules vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)in rats with hepatic fibrosis,and to explore its possible mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis.[Methods]Rats were subcutaneously given injection of 40% carbon tetrachloride(3 ml·kg-1·d-1,twice every week for 6 weeks,double in the first dose)to induce the model of hepatic fibrosis,and were prevented by Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian(1g·kg-1·d-1).The degrees of rat liver inflammation and fibrosis were observed by HE and Masson staining,while the mRNA expression of HIF-1α,VEGF and CTGF in liver were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.[Results]The degrees of liver inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the model group were higher than that in the normal group(P0.01).The hepatic HIF-1α,VEGF and CTGF gene expression in the model group was higher than those in the normal group(P0.01,P0.05).The degree of hepatic fibrosis was positively correlated with the mRNA expression of HIF-1α,VEGF and CTGF(ou P0.01).HIF-1α mRNA expression was also positively correlated with VEGF and CTGF mRNA expression(pu P0.01).After treatment with Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian,the degrees of liver inflammation and hepatic fibrosis were remarkably depressed(P0.01,P0.05),and the mRNA levels of HIF-1α,VEGF and CTGF were obviously decreased(P0.05).[Conclusion]Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian can obviously depress the expression of hepatic HIF-1α and its downstream molecules,and it may be one mechanism for Fufang Biejia Ruangan Pian to treat hepatic fibrosis.