Effects of IL-10 on the expression of ECM and related metabolic enzyme in experimental hepatic fibrotic rat

Objective To study the effect of IL-10 on the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-Ⅰ, collagen-Ⅰ and collagen-Ⅲ of liver tissue of hepatic fibrotic rat and the antifibrogenic role of exogenous IL-10. Methods Forty seven SD rats were randomly divided into two groups, normal control group (GN, 6 rats) and CCl4 group (GC, 41rats). At the end of 9th week, rats in GC were randomly allocated into three groups: model group (GM, 9 rats), IL-10 treated group (GT, 9 rats) and sponteneously recovered group (GR, 9 rats). Rats in GM group were sacrificed at the end of 9th week and rats in GT group and GR group were sacrificed at 12th week. Immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, collagen-I and collagen-Ⅲ of liver tissue, the degree of hepatic fibrosis was determined with histological examination. Results Rat hepatic fibrosis was developed as showed by histological examination, the degree of hepatic fibrosis in GT group alleviated significantly compared to GM group, and changes in GR was not distinct. The positive expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, collagen-Ⅰ and collagen-Ⅲ displayed as follows: compared to GN, they increased markedly in GM; after treated with IL-10, they declined significantly; the expression of them in GR decreased, but still higer than GT. Conclusion The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, collagen-Ⅰ and collagen-Ⅲ increased in hepatic fibrotic rat and decreased after treatment with IL-10. IL-10 plays an antifibrogenic role by suppressing their expression.