Impacts of ovariectomy on CCl_4-induced hepatic fibrosis of rats

To study the effects of ovariectomy on CCl 4 induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and to investigate the suppressive effects of estrogen on liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis was induced in ovariectomized rats by CCl 4 administration and then treated with benzoic estradiol(1mg/kg) twice a week. The expression of type I and Ⅲ collagen, the hepatic collagen synthesis and other indicators were studied. Results demonstrated that in CCl 4 group with typical liver fibrosis. ovariectomy aggravated hepatic collagen content, increased AST, ALT, hyaluronic acid(HA) and type IV collagen(CIV) in serum and enhanced expression of type I and Ⅲ collagen significantly in the fibrotic rats. Estradiol replacement therapy had an opposite effect. It was showed that ovariectomy aggravated CCl 4 induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. The mechanism may be explained by antifibrogenic effect of estrogen in liver.