Published online Jun 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i6.1292
Revised: February 4, 2003
Accepted: February 11, 2003
Published online: June 15, 2003
AIM: To observe the effects of Ganyanping on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.
METHODS: The rats were separated randomly into five groups. Groups A to group D, each consisting of 15 rats, were for different tests, while 8 rats were used as normal controls (N). For group D, CCl4 was injected subcutaneously, at a dosage of 3 mL/kg for 9 wk. For group A, Ganyanping was administered via gastric tube at a dosage of 10 mL/kg. For group B, the treatment with Ganyanping was started 4 wk after CCl4 administration. In group C, Ganyanping was administered 8 wk after the intoxication, and treatment lasted for 4 wk. Liver tissues were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Pathologic changes, particularly fibrosis, were evaluated on the HE and V-G-stained sections. Ten middle-power fields were randomly selected for assessment of collagen deposition.
RESULTS: Loss of normal hepatic architecture, some with pseudo-lobule formation, was observed in group D, while hepatocytes steatosis and fibrosis were less pronounced in the animals treated with Ganyanping. Pseudo-lobule formation was not evident in the latter groups. The total collagen area and ratio were 840.23 ± 81.65 and 7.0 ± 0.9, respectively in group D, the ratio being reduced greatly in the Ganyanping-treated groups (148.73 ± 45.89 and 1.16 ± 0.33, respectively). The activities of MAO and ACP were elevated and that of SDH in group D decreased in the hepatic tissue as compared to the control group. The treatment with Ganyanping abrogated these enzymatic changes.
CONCLUSION: Our data approved that Ganyanping could improve the microcirculation in the liver, reduce oxygen-derived free radicals, and enhance the cellular metabolism and immune function, all resulting in an anti-fibrotic effect. Hence, Ganyanping can protect the liver from fibrosis. It may be a safe and effective preparation for patient with fibrosis.