Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 1, 2004; 10(13): 1911-1913
Published online Jul 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i13.1911
Effect of rat serum containing Biejiajian oral liquid on proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells
Li Yao, Zhen-Min Yao, Heng Weng, Ge-Ping Zhao, Yue-Jun Zhou, Tao Yu
Li Yao, Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
Zhen-Min Yao, Heng Weng, Yue-Jun Zhou, Tao Yu, Department of Basic Medicine, Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
Ge-Ping Zhao, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, No.398402
Correspondence to: Dr. Li Yao, Department of Pharmacology, Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China. ylyj@mail.hz.zj.cn
Received: August 8, 2003
Revised: September 11, 2003
Accepted: September 18, 2003
Published online: July 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: Liver fibrosis is a common pathological process of chronic liver diseases. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the key issue in the occurrence of liver fibrosis. In this study, we observed the inhibitory action of rat serum containing Biejiajian oral liquid (BOL), a decoction of turtle shell, on proliferation of rat HSCs, and to explore the anti-hepatofibrotic mechanisms of BOL.

METHODS: A rat model of hepatic fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4. Serum containing low, medium and high dosages of BOL was prepared respectively. Normal and fibrotic HSCs were isolated and cultured. The effect of sera containing BOL on proliferation of HSCs was determined by 3H-TdR incorporation.

RESULTS: The inhibitory rate of normal rat HSC proliferation caused by 100 mL/mL sera containing medium and high dosages of BOL showed a remarkable difference as compared with that caused by colchicine (medium dosage group: 34.56% ± 4.21% vs 29.12% ± 2.85%, P < 0.01; high dosage group: 37.82% ± 1.32% vs 29.12% ± 2.85%, P < 0.01). The inhibitory rate of fibrotic rat HSC proliferation caused by 100 mL/L serum containing medium and high dosages of BOL showed a remarkable difference as compared with that caused by colchicine (medium dosage group: 51.31% ± 3.14% vs 38.32% ± 2.65%, P < 0.01; high dosage group: 60.15% ± 5.36% vs 38.32% ± 2.65%, P < 0.01). The inhibitory rate of normal rat HSC proliferation caused by 100 mL/L and 200 mL/L sera containing a medium dosage of BOL showed a significant difference as compared with that caused by 50 mL/L (100 mL/L group: 69.02% ± 9.96% vs 50.82% ± 9.28%, P < 0.05; 200 mL/L group: 81.78% ± 8.92% vs 50.82% ± 9.28%, P < 0.01). The inhibitory rate of fibrotic rat HSC proliferation caused by 100 mL/L and 200 mL/L sera containing a medium dosage of BOL showed a significant difference as compared with that caused by 50 mL/L (100 mL/L group: 72.19% ± 10.96% vs 61.38% ± 7.16%, P < 0.05; 200 mL/L group: 87.16% ± 8.54% vs 61.38% ± 7.16%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Rat serum containing BOL can inhibit proliferation of rat HSCs, and the inhibition depends on the dosage and concentration of BOL. The inhibitory effect on HSC proliferation is one of the main anti-hepatofibrotic mechanisms of BOL.

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