HGF promotes liver cirrhosis in rats by boosting the proliferation of endogenous stem cells

Objective To explore the effect of different doses of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on promoting the proliferation of endogenous stem cells in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Methods All of 100 rats were injected intraperitoneally with 50% carbon tetrachloride to construct the model of liver cirrhosis, and were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups: blank control group, low dose group, middle dose group, high dose group of intraperitoneal injection of HGF.Liver functions were evaluated by serological test of Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Total Bilirubin (TBIL) and Albumin (ALB). Changes of ALB, Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4α (HNF-4α) expression were detected by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the proliferation of hepatic cell.Endogenous stem cells were labeled by EdU to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation to hepatic cell. Results Compared with the control group, AST, ALT and TBIL in experimental groups were significantly lower in the fourth wee (P<0.05). The difference between middle dose group and low dose group was statistically significant.While, ALB in experimental groups were significantly higher than control group in the fourth week(P<0.05). There were significant differences among all experiment groups(all P<0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of expression on HNF-4α, ALB and CK18 loci in immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and Western blot showed that both control group and low dose group between middle and high dose group were statistically significant(all P<0.05). Conclusion Repeated intraperitoneal injection of HGF may promote the proliferation of endogenous stem cells and alleviate cirrhosis in rats.The best dosage of intraperitoneal injection is 20 mg/kg/d. Key words: Liver Cirrhosis; Hepatocyte Growth Factor; Edu labeling