Expression of TNF-α,Caspase-3 in apoptosis of alcoholic liver disease rats

Objective To observe the pathlogical changes and investigate the hepatocyte apoptosis relating with the expression of TNF-α and Caspase-3 in alcoholic liver disease(ALD) rats.Method The dose of 40% ethanol(8g/(kg·d)) was administered intragastrically by gavage twice daily in ALD model rats for 12 weeks,the control rats were received isovolume saline by gavage.The rats were killed at the end of 8W and 12W.The pathological changes of liver was observed under light microscope after HE staining,and heaptocyte apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL method.The expression of TNF-α and Caspase-3 in liver tissues was detected by the immunohistochemical method.Results Apoptotic hepatocytes were prominently aggregate in and around the necrotic area in model groups.The labeling index of hepatocytes apoptosis was significantly higher than that in normal control group.The positive cells of TNF-α and Caspase-3 were observed around central vein and necrosis area in model group,and the expression intensity of the apoptosis related protein TNF-α and Caspase-3 genes was significantly higher than that of normal control group(P0.05).The expression of TNF-α had positive correlation with the Caspase-3(r=0.648,P0.01).Conclusion TNF-α and Caspase-3 participate in the apoptosis of hepatocytes in development and progress of ALD rats.TNF-α participates in the development of ALD by its receptor-mediated activation of Caspase-3.