[Effect of Hovenia dulcis extract on expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in hepatic tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Hovenia dulcis extract on mRNA expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 mRNA in hepatic tissue in experimental rats. METHOD: 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: normal group (16) and model group (32), hepatic fibrosis was induced by CCl4 for 6 weeks in rats, 8 rats were sacrificed at the end of the 6th week from every group respectively, HE staining of hepatic tissue was performed; In the model group, rats randomly subdivided into 3 groups: spontaneous recovery group, control group and medication administration group, 8 rats were sacrificed at the end of the 12th week from every group respectively, the mRNA levels of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in hepatic tissue were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULT: The mRNA expression of MMP-13 among the 4 groups were not statistically significant, but the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 among the 4 groups were statiscally significant. The levels of TIMP-1 mRNA were significantly increased in control group and medication administration group compared, with those in the model group (P < 0.05), and reverse effects of medication administration groups were significantly high than those of control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 may be the mechanism of reversing hepatic fibrosis H. dulcis, for thus collogen degradation system was recoveried gradually.