AIM: To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of different doses of recombinant human Gamma-Interferon (IFN-gamma) in two rat models of hepatic fibrosis, and to observe its effect on moderate chronic hepatitis B virus fibr...AIM: To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of different doses of recombinant human Gamma-Interferon (IFN-gamma) in two rat models of hepatic fibrosis, and to observe its effect on moderate chronic hepatitis B virus fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was successfully induced in 150 and 196 rats by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), respectively. Each of the two model groups was divided into: (1) fibrotic model group; (2) colchicine treatment group (0.1 mg/kg/day, gastrogavage for 8 weeks); (3) high-dose IFN-gamma group (15 MU/kg per day, i.m. for 8 weeks); (4) medium-dose IFN-gamma group (5 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks); and (5) Y low-dose IFN-gamma group (1.67 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks). Another group of 10 rats without any treatment was used as normal controls. At the end of the experiment, semi-quantitative histopathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis, liver alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression level, liver hydroxyl proline content and serum hyaluronic acid levels were compared. And 47 medium chronic hepatitis B viral fibrosis patients were studied. They were given IFN-gamma treatment, 100 MU/day i.m. for the first three months and 100 MU qod i.m. for the next six months. Semi-quantitative pathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis and serum hepatic fibrosis indices were compared within the 9 months. RESULTS: In animal experiment, the pathological fibrosis scores and liver hydroxyl proline content were found to be significantly lower in rats treated with different doses of IFN-gamma as compared with rats in fibrotic model group induced by either CCl4 or DMN, in a dose-dependent manner. For CCl4-induced model, pathological fibrosis scores in high, medium and low doses IFN-gamma groups were 5.10 +/- 2.88, 7.70 +/- 3.53 and 8.00 +/- 3.30, respectively, but the score was 14.60 +/- 7.82 in fibrotic model group. Hydroxyl proline contents were 2.83 +/- 1.18, 3.59 +/- 1.22 and 4.80 +/- 1.62, in the three IFN-ga展开更多
AIM： To develop and characterize a practical model of Hepatopulmonary syndrome. （HPS） in rats.METHODS： The experimental animals were randomized into five feeding groups： （1） control （fed standard diet）, （2）...AIM： To develop and characterize a practical model of Hepatopulmonary syndrome. （HPS） in rats.METHODS： The experimental animals were randomized into five feeding groups： （1） control （fed standard diet）, （2） control plus intraperitoneal injection with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）, （3） cirrhosis （fed a diet of maize flour, lard, cholesterol, and alcohol plus subcutaneously injection with carbon tetrachloride （CCI4） oil solution）, （4） cirrhosis plus LPS, and （5） cirrhosis plus glycine and LPS. The blood, liver and lung tissues of rats were sampled for analysis and characterization. Technetium 99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin （Tc99m-MAA） was used to test the dilatation of pulmonary microvasculature.RESULTS： Typical cirrhosis and subsequent hepato- pulmonary syndrome was observed in the cirrhosis groups after an 8 wk feeding period. In rats with cirrhosis, there were a decreased PaO2 and PaCO2 in arterial blood, markedly decreased arterial 02 content, a significantly increased alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient, an increased number of bacterial translocated within mesenteric lymph node, a significant higher level of LPS and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in plasma, and a significant greater ratio of Tc99m-MAA brain-overlung radioactivity. After LPS administration in rats with cirrhosis, various pathological parameters got worse and pulmonary edema formed. The predisposition of glycine antagonized the effects of LPS and significantly alleviated various pathological alterations.展开更多
Background Chinese medicine plays an important role in hepatoprotective treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of emodin and astragalus polysaccharides （APS） in a rat model of chro...Background Chinese medicine plays an important role in hepatoprotective treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of emodin and astragalus polysaccharides （APS） in a rat model of chronic hepatic injury. Methods Chronic hepatic injury was induced by hypodermic injection of an olive oil solution containing 40% carbon tetrachlodde （CCI4） twice a week, in addition to a diet of 79.5% maizena, 20% fat, 0.5% cholesterol, and 10% alcohol in the drinking water ad libitum for 12 weeks. Meanwhile, the rats were exposed to different concentrations of emodin （40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）, APS （200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）, combination drug （emodin 40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 combined with APS 200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and colchicine （0.1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） in parallel by oral gavage （once a day for 12 weeks）. At the end of 12 weeks, blood serum and liver tissue were taken. Serum was collected to determine the levels of total bilirubin （TBIL）, alanine transaminase （ALT）, aspartate transaminose （AST）, and albumin （ALB）. Liver and spleen indexes were assayed, followed by the measurements of the liver associated enzyme superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）. Histopathological changes were studied using optical microscopy. Results Splenohepatomegalia was alleviated and serum levels of TBIL and ALT were reduced in the groups treated with emodin and APS when compared to the control group. In addition, the ALB level in the APS and combination groups was higher. Similarly, the SOD activity of liver homogenates was significantly higher in the groups treated with emodin and APS, while administration of the herbal derivatives prevented the elevation in MDA levels. Histological analysis showed that the APS and combination groups significantly ameliorated the hepatic injury. Conclusions Co-administration of emodin and APS demonstrated a synergistic action in reducing ALT and restoring ALB in the serum from a rat model of chronic hepatic injury. Emodin and APS may ameliorate t展开更多
INTRODUCTIONLiver fibrosis is a dynamic course leading tocirrhosis from a various chronic liver diseases. Thepathological basis of fibrosis is the disturbance ofproduction and degradation of the extracellularmatrix (E...INTRODUCTIONLiver fibrosis is a dynamic course leading tocirrhosis from a various chronic liver diseases. Thepathological basis of fibrosis is the disturbance ofproduction and degradation of the extracellularmatrix (ECM), which causes accumulation of ECMin the liver[1,2].展开更多
AIM： To study the therapeutic effect of exogenous interleuldn-10 on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and its passible mechanisms. METHODS： Fourty-seven SD rats were randomly divided into control group （group N...AIM： To study the therapeutic effect of exogenous interleuldn-10 on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and its passible mechanisms. METHODS： Fourty-seven SD rats were randomly divided into control group （group N） and CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis model group （group C）. After CCl4 was given for 9 wk, the model group was divided into three groups. Rats in group H were put to death immediately, rats in group T were treated with IL-10 for another three wk and then put to death, rats in group R recovered after three weeks and were then killed. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was measured by HE staining and histological activity index （HAI）. Histological activity index （HAI）, change of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ were measured by Picrosirius staining. The expression of TNF-α, HHP-2 and TIMP-1 in liver tissue was measured by S-P immunohis tochemistry.RESULTS： CCl4- induced experimental rat hepatic fibrosis model was established successfully. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was markedly lower in group T than in groups H and R, and there was no difference between the two groups. The expression of collagen types I and III was significantly suppressed in group T and was slightly suppressed in groups H and R. The positive levels of TNF-α, HHP-2 and TIHP-1 in group H increased significantly compared to those in group N （P〈0.01）. The positive signals decreased significantly in groups T and R （P〈0.01）, but positive score was significantly lower in group T than in group R （P〈 0.01）. CONCLUS10N： Exogenous IL-10 can reverse CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. IL-10 may exert its reversible effects on hepatic fibrosis by blocking CCl4-induced inflammation, inhibiting expression of HHP-2 and TIMP-1 and promoting resolution of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ.展开更多
AIM： To study the protective effects and mechanisms of Se-enriched lactobacillus on liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） in mice. METHODS： Seventy-two ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups...AIM： To study the protective effects and mechanisms of Se-enriched lactobacillus on liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） in mice. METHODS： Seventy-two ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups： normal group, CCl4-induced model group, low Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group （L-Se group）, and high Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group （H-Se group）. During a 3-wk experimental period, the common complete diet was orally provided daily for normal group and model group, and the mice in L-Se and H-Se groups were given a diet with 2 and 4 mg of organoselenium from Se-enriched lactobacillus per kg feed, respectively. From the 2nd wk of experiment, the model group, L-Se group, and H-Se group received abdominal cavity injection of olive oil solution containing 500 mL/L CCl4 （0.07 mL/100 g body mass） to induce liver injury, and the normal group was given olive oil on every other day for over 2 wk. In the first 2 wk post injection with CCl4, mice in each group were killed. The specimens of blood, liver tissue, and macrophages in abdominal cavity fluid were taken. Then the activities of the following liver tissue injury-associated enzymes including glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）, superoxide dismutase （SOD）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） as well as malondialdehyde （MDA） content were assayed. Changes of phagocytic rate and phagocytic index in macrophages were observed with Wright-Giemsa stain. Plasma TNF-α level was measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of intracellular free Ca^2＋ （[Ca^2＋]i） in hepatocytes was detected under a laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS： During the entire experimental period, the AST and ALT activities in liver were greatly enhanced by CCl4 and completely blunted by both low and high doses of Se-enriched lactobacillus. The Se-enriched lactobacillus- protected liver homogenate GSH-Px and SOD activities were higher or significantly higher than those in model group and were cl展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of L-NAME on nitric oxide and gastrointestinal motility alterations in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Rats with cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride were randomly divided into two groups,...AIM: To investigate the effect of L-NAME on nitric oxide and gastrointestinal motility alterations in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Rats with cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride were randomly divided into two groups, one n =13 receiving 0.5mg.kg(-1) per day of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, for 10 days, whereas the other group (n =13) and control (n =10) rats were administrated the same volume of 9g.L(-1) saline. Half gastric emptying time and 2h residual rate were measured by SPECT, using (99m)Tc-DTPA-labeled barium sulfate as test meal. Gastrointestinal transition time was recorded simultaneously. Serum concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was determined by the kinetic cadmium reduction and colorimetric methods. Immunohistochemical SABC method was used to observe the expression and distribution of three types of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in the rat gastrointestinal tract. Western blot was used to detect expression of gastrointestinal NOS isoforms. RESULTS: Half gastric emptying time and trans-gastrointestinal time were significantly prolonged(124.0 +/- 26.4 min; 33.7 +/- 8.9 min; 72.1 +/- 15.3 min; P【0.01), (12.4 +/- 0.5h; 9.5 +/- 0.3h; 8.2 +/- 0.8h; P【0.01), 2h residual rate was raised in cirrhotic rats than in controls and cirrhotic rats treated with L-NAME (54.9 +/- 7.6%,13.7 +/- 3.2%, 34.9 +/- 10.3%, P【0.01). Serum concentration of NO was significantly increased in cirrhotic rats than in the other groups (8.20 +/- 2.48) micromol.L(-1), (5.94 +/-1.07) micromol.L(-1) and control (5.66 +/- 1.60 micromol.L(-1), P【0.01. NOS staining intensities which were mainly located in the gastrointestinal tissues were markedly lower in cirrhotic rats than in the controls and cirrhotic rats after treated with L-NAME. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal motility was remarkably inhibited in cirrhotic rats, which could be alleviated by L-NAME. Nitric oxide may play an important role in the inhibition of gastrointestinal motility in cirrhotic rats.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of baicalein against carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4)-induced liver damage in mice.METHODS:Mice were orally administered with baicalein after CCl 4 injection,and therapeutic b...AIM:To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of baicalein against carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4)-induced liver damage in mice.METHODS:Mice were orally administered with baicalein after CCl 4 injection,and therapeutic baicalein was given twice a day for 4 d.The anti-inflammation effects of baicalein were assessed directly by hepatic histology and serum alanine aminotranferease and aspartate aminotransferase measurement.Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was used to evaluate the effect of baicalein in promoting hepatocyte proliferation.Serum interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liver IL-6,TNF-α,transforming growth factor-α(TGF-α),hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and epidermal growth factor(EGF) genes expression were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:CCl4-induced acute liver failure model offers a survival benefit in baicalein-treated mice.The data indicated that the mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased within 12 h after CCl 4 treatment in baicalein administration groups,but at 24,48 and 72 h,the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was kept at lower levels compared with the control.The expression of TGF-α,HGF and EGF was enhanced dramatically in baicalein administration group at 12,24,48 and 72 h.Furthermore,we found that baicalein significantly elevated the serum level of TNF-α and IL-6 at the early phase,which indicated that baicalein could facilitate the initiating events in liver regeneration.CONCLUSION:Baicalein may be a therapeutic candidate for acute liver injury.Baicalein accelerates liver regeneration by regulating TNF-α and IL-6 mediated pathways.展开更多
The dectrochemical reduction characteristics of carbon tetrachlofide （CT） were investigated using cyclic voltammetry in this study. In addition, the difference in reduction mechanisms of CT between Master Builders＇...The dectrochemical reduction characteristics of carbon tetrachlofide （CT） were investigated using cyclic voltammetry in this study. In addition, the difference in reduction mechanisms of CT between Master Builders＇ iron and the catalyzed Fe-Cu process was discussed. The results showed that CT was reduced directly on the surface of copper rather than by atomic hydrogen produced at the cathode in the catalyzed Fe-Cu process. The reduction was realized largely by atomic hydrogen in Master Builders＇ iron. The entire CT in 350 ml aqueous solution with 320 mg/L was reduced to trichloromethane and dichloromethane in 2.25 h when 100 g of scrap iron with Fe/Cu ratio of 10：1 （w/w） were used. Moreover, the reduction rate slowed with time. CT could be reduced at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH from solution by Fe-Cu bimetallic media, but the mechanisms were different. The degradation rate was not significantly influenced by pH in the catalyzed Fe-Cu process; in Master Builders＇ iron it clearly increased with decreasing pH. The kinetics of the reductions followed pseudo-first order in both cases. Furthermore, the reductions under acidic conditions proceeded faster than that under the neutral and alkaline conditions. The catalyzed Fe-Cu process was superior to Master Builders＇ iron in treating CT-containing water and this advantage was particularly noticeable under alkaline conditions. The reduction was investigated in the cathode （Cu） and anode （Fe） compartments respectively, the results showed that the direct reduction pathway played an important role in the reduction by the catalyzed Fe-Cu process. The catalyzed Fe-Cu process is of practical value.展开更多
INTRODUCTION Salvianolic radix,one of the most commonly usedtraditional Chinese herbs,was widely studied aboutits actions against liver injury and fibrosis,and wasone of the focuses of recent research.Salvianolic acid...INTRODUCTION Salvianolic radix,one of the most commonly usedtraditional Chinese herbs,was widely studied aboutits actions against liver injury and fibrosis,and wasone of the focuses of recent research.Salvianolic acid-A(SA-A)was an aqueous solublecomponent of Salvianolic radix.In our展开更多
Objective： To explore the effect of Biejiajian Oral Liquid（鳖甲煎口服液, BOL） on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats by detecting the changes in the levels of angiotensinⅡ（AngⅡ）, angiotensin-（1–7） [Ang-（1...Objective： To explore the effect of Biejiajian Oral Liquid（鳖甲煎口服液, BOL） on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats by detecting the changes in the levels of angiotensinⅡ（AngⅡ）, angiotensin-（1–7） [Ang-（1–7）], angiotensin-converting enzyme（ACE）, ACE2, angiotensinⅡ type 1 receptor（AT1 R）, Mas, etc. Methods： A total of 180 Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups by random digital table method： prevention experiment and treatment experiment. Each group was further subdivided into the fol owing 6 subgroups： normal control group, model group, vitamin E [100 mg/（kg·d）, VE] group, enalapril [10 mg/（kg·g）, Ena] group, high-dosage [20 g/（kg·d）] BOL group, and low-dosage [10 g/（kg·d）] BOL group. The hepatic fibrosis rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 for 6 weeks. Prevention experiment and treatment experiment were administered with specific drugs at different times. At the end of treatment experiment, the pathological changes of liver were observed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expressions of ingredients in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system（RAAS） such as AngⅡ, Ang-（1–7）, ACE, ACE2, AT1 R, Mas, renin, CYP11 B2 and angen in liver were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry method or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results： The levels of AngⅡ and Ang-（1–7） at the 6 th week increased by 496.10% and 73.64%, respectively, compared with those at the 2 nd week in the model group（P〈0.01）. With prevention or treatment with high-dosage BOL, there was an evident reduction of AngⅡ level but an improvement of Ang-（1–7） level. Specifically, AngⅡ level of high-dosage group decreased by 77.50% in prevention experiment（P=0.000） and by 76.93% in treatment experiment（P=0.002） compared with that in the model group. Ang-（1–7） level increased by 91.69% in prevention experiment（P=0.006） and by 70.77% in the treatment e展开更多
This paper describes a new method for producing TiCl4 by chloridizing materials of high content CaO and MgO, in which a combined fluidized bed is used as a reactor to avoid agglomeration between particles caused by mo...This paper describes a new method for producing TiCl4 by chloridizing materials of high content CaO and MgO, in which a combined fluidized bed is used as a reactor to avoid agglomeration between particles caused by molten CaCl2 and MgCl2. The combined fluidized bed consists of at least a riser tube and a semi-circulating fluidized bed. Two kinds of high titanium slag, in which the total mass content of CaO and MgO is 2.03% and 9.09% respectively, are employed to examine the anti-agglomeration effect and the conversion of the materials when the temperature ranges are between 923.15K and 1073.15K, gas apparent velocity 0.7--1.1m.s-1, and inlet amount of solid materials is 4.6-7.0kg·h^-1. It is found that the anti-agglomeration effect in the combined fluidized bed is satisfactory and the new method can achieve a TiCl4 production capacity of 14.0-75.4t·m^-2·d^-1 in relation to 25.0-- 40.0t·m^-2·d^-1 from the conventional bubble bed. Furthermore, low-temperature chloridization, for example, at 923K or 973K, can also be used to produce TiCl4 and avoid agglomeration.展开更多
AIM To reveal the protective mechanism of the combined use of vitamin D and puerarin in the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4).METHODS Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly d...AIM To reveal the protective mechanism of the combined use of vitamin D and puerarin in the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4).METHODS Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(C group), a CCl4 group(CCl4 group), a vitamin D group(V group), a puerarin group(P group), and a combined group of vitamin D and puerarin(V + P group), each of which contained ten rats. In this way, we built a rat model of CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis with intervention by vitamin D, puerarin, or a combination of the two. After eight weeks, the mice were sacrificed to collect serum and liver specimens. Blood was collected to detect the hyaluronic acid(HA). We also measured hydroxyproline(Hyp) and prepared paraffin sections of liver. After Sirius red staining, the liver specimens were observed under a microscope. RT-PCR and western blot analysis were adopted to detect the mRNA and the proteinlevels of Collagen I, Collagen III, Wnt1, and β-catenin in the liver tissues, respectively.RESULTS Hepatic fibrosis was observed in the CCl4 group. In comparison, hepatic fibrosis was attenuated in the V, P, and V + P groups: the HA level in blood and the Hyp level in liver were reduced, and the mRNA levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, Wnt, and β-catenin in liver were also decreased, as well as the protein levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin. Among these groups, the V + P group demonstrated the greatest amelioration of hepatic fibrosis.CONCLUSION The combined application of vitamin D and puerarin is capable of alleviating CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis of rats. As to the mechanism, it is probably because the combined use is able to silence the Wnt1/β-catenin pathway, suppress the activation of hepatic stellate cells, and reduce the secretion of collagen fibers, therefore improving the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect.展开更多
As an effective conventional absorbent, biochar exhibited limited adsorption ability toward small hydrophobic molecules. To enhance the adsorption capacity, a novel adsorbent was prepared by immobilizing nanoscale zer...As an effective conventional absorbent, biochar exhibited limited adsorption ability toward small hydrophobic molecules. To enhance the adsorption capacity, a novel adsorbent was prepared by immobilizing nanoscale zero-valent iron onto modified biochar（MB） and then the elemental silver was attached to the surface of iron（Ag/Fe/MB）. It＇s noted that spherical Ag/Fe nanoparticles with diameter of 51 nm were highly dispersed on the surface of MB. As the typical hydrophobic contaminant, carbon tetrachloride was selected for examining the removal efficiency of the adsorbent. The removal efficiencies of carbon tetrachloride by original biochar（OB）, Ag/Fe, Ag/Fe/OB and Ag/Fe/MB were fully investigated. It＇s found that Ag/Fe/MB showed higher carbon tetrachloride removal efficiency, which is about 5.5 times higher than that of the OB sample due to utilizing the merits of high adsorption and reduction. Thermodynamic parameters revealed that the removal of carbon tetrachloride by Ag/Fe/MB was a spontaneous and exothermic process, which was affected by solution p H, initial carbon tetrachloride concentration and temperature. The novel Ag/Fe/MB composites provided a promising material for carbon tetrachloride removal from effluent.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the effects of positive regulation of recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1Ra) on hepatic tissue recovery in acute liver injury in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ). ...AIM: To evaluate the effects of positive regulation of recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1Ra) on hepatic tissue recovery in acute liver injury in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ). METHODS: Acute liver damage was induced by injecting 8-wk-old mice with CCl 4 1 mL/kg (1:3 dilution in corn oil) intraperitoneally (ip). Survival after liver failure was assessed by injecting 8-wk-old mice with a lethal dose of CCl 4 2.6 mL/kg (1:1 dilution in corn oil) ip. Mice were subcutaneously injected with 1 mg/kg recombinant human IL-1Ra twice a day after CCl 4 treatment for 5 d. Serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined with a commercial assay kit. Serum IL-1β, IL-1Ra levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine liver IL-1β, IL-1Ra and IL-6 expression during CCl 4-induced acute liver injury. Liver sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. A histology-injury grading system was used to evaluate the degree of necrosis after acute liver injury. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining was used to evaluate the role of rhIL-1Ra in promoting hepatocyte proliferation. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed a higher level of IL-6 mRNA expression and reduced serum AST and ALT levels in the livers of the rhIL-1Ra-treated group at the early phase of CCl 4-induced acute liver injury. Histological examination indicated a decrease in centrilobular necrotic areas in mice treated with rhIL-1Ra, and a novel role of rhIL-1Ra in promoting hepatocyte proliferation was also supported by an increase of PCNA staining. All these results, accompanied by a strong survival benefit in rhIL-1Ra-treated vs PBS-treated groups, demonstrated that rhIL-1Ra administration ameliorated the histological damage and accelerated the regeneration and recovery process of the liver. CONCLUSION: rhIL-1Ra could be further developed as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of 展开更多
AIM: To examine the expression of activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGFbeta) superfamily, recently has been reported to be overexpressed in liver cirrhosis, in the course of carbon tetrachloride-i...AIM: To examine the expression of activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGFbeta) superfamily, recently has been reported to be overexpressed in liver cirrhosis, in the course of carbon tetrachloride-induced rat hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injections of 40% carbon tetrachloride oily solution for a period of 1 to 7 weeks. At the end of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 weeks after carbon tetrachloride injections, the rats were killed in group (6-10 rats each time) for study. The activin A messenger RNA expression and its protein localization were assessed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The normal rat liver expressed activin A mRNA and protein, and its expression was transiently decreased and became undetectable after carbon tetrachloride injections for 2 or 3 weeks and then increased gradually. After injection of carbon tetrachloride for 6 and 7 weeks, activin A mRNA and protein expressions were significantly enhanced in rat liver. Compared with that of the normal rat liver. Activin A mRNA expression levels in rats receiving carbon tetrachloride injections for 6 and 7 weeks were 1.6 and 2.2 times that of those in normal rat liver respectively (0.456 +/- 0.094 vs 0.2860.0670, P【 0.01; 0.620 +/- 0.134 vs 0.286 +/- 0670, P【 0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that activin A expressed in hepatocytes of normal liver, and its expression was decreased in rats receiving carbon tetrachloride for 2 or 3 weeks. Compared with normal liver, activin A expression distribution mode changed in fibrotic liver, being increased significantly in hepatocytes around fibrotic areas. CONCLUSION: Activin A expression was increased in late stage of hepatic fibrosis, and this may be involved in hepatic fibrosis formation in this period.展开更多
Atmospheric peroxyacetyl nitrate （PAN）, peroxypropionyl nitrate （PPN）, and carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） were measured from September 2010 to August 2011 in Beijing. PAN exhibited low values from mid-autumn to ear...Atmospheric peroxyacetyl nitrate （PAN）, peroxypropionyl nitrate （PPN）, and carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） were measured from September 2010 to August 2011 in Beijing. PAN exhibited low values from mid-autumn to early spring （October to March） with monthly average concentrations ranging from 0.28 to 0.73 ppbV, and increased from early spring to summer （March to August）, ranging from 1.37-3.79 ppbV. The monthly variation of PPN was similar to PAN, with low values （below detection limit to 0.18 ppbV） from mid-autumn to early spring, and a monthly maximum in September （1.14 ppbV）. The monthly variation of CCl4 was tightly related to the variation of temperature, exhibiting a minimum in winter （69.3 pptV） and a maximum of 180.6 pptV in summer. Due to weak solar intensity and short duration, PAN and O3 showed no distinct diurnal patterns from morning to night during winter, whereas for other seasons, they both exhibited maximal values in the late afternoon （ca. 15：00 to 16：00 local time） and minimal values during early morning and midnight. Good linear correlations between PAN and PPN were found in autumn （R = 0.91）, spring （R = 0.94）, and summer （R = 0.81）, with slopes of 0.130, 0.222, and 0.133, respectively, suggesting that anthropogenic hydrocarbons dominated the photochemical formation of PANs in Beijing. Positive correlation between PAN and O3 in summer with the low slopes （AO3/APAN） ranging from 9.92 to 18.0 indicated serious air pollution in Beijing, and strong negative correlation in winter reflected strong O3 consumption by NO titration and less thermal decompositin of PAN.展开更多
文摘AIM: To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of different doses of recombinant human Gamma-Interferon (IFN-gamma) in two rat models of hepatic fibrosis, and to observe its effect on moderate chronic hepatitis B virus fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was successfully induced in 150 and 196 rats by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), respectively. Each of the two model groups was divided into: (1) fibrotic model group; (2) colchicine treatment group (0.1 mg/kg/day, gastrogavage for 8 weeks); (3) high-dose IFN-gamma group (15 MU/kg per day, i.m. for 8 weeks); (4) medium-dose IFN-gamma group (5 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks); and (5) Y low-dose IFN-gamma group (1.67 MU/kg daily, i.m. for 8 weeks). Another group of 10 rats without any treatment was used as normal controls. At the end of the experiment, semi-quantitative histopathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis, liver alpha smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression level, liver hydroxyl proline content and serum hyaluronic acid levels were compared. And 47 medium chronic hepatitis B viral fibrosis patients were studied. They were given IFN-gamma treatment, 100 MU/day i.m. for the first three months and 100 MU qod i.m. for the next six months. Semi-quantitative pathological scores of inflammation and fibrosis and serum hepatic fibrosis indices were compared within the 9 months. RESULTS: In animal experiment, the pathological fibrosis scores and liver hydroxyl proline content were found to be significantly lower in rats treated with different doses of IFN-gamma as compared with rats in fibrotic model group induced by either CCl4 or DMN, in a dose-dependent manner. For CCl4-induced model, pathological fibrosis scores in high, medium and low doses IFN-gamma groups were 5.10 +/- 2.88, 7.70 +/- 3.53 and 8.00 +/- 3.30, respectively, but the score was 14.60 +/- 7.82 in fibrotic model group. Hydroxyl proline contents were 2.83 +/- 1.18, 3.59 +/- 1.22 and 4.80 +/- 1.62, in the three IFN-ga
基金awards to University Academic Leaders granted by the Government of Shanxi Province of China to Hui-Ying Zhang and partially by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of United States, grant R01 AA014428 to Cheng Ji
文摘AIM： To develop and characterize a practical model of Hepatopulmonary syndrome. （HPS） in rats.METHODS： The experimental animals were randomized into five feeding groups： （1） control （fed standard diet）, （2） control plus intraperitoneal injection with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）, （3） cirrhosis （fed a diet of maize flour, lard, cholesterol, and alcohol plus subcutaneously injection with carbon tetrachloride （CCI4） oil solution）, （4） cirrhosis plus LPS, and （5） cirrhosis plus glycine and LPS. The blood, liver and lung tissues of rats were sampled for analysis and characterization. Technetium 99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin （Tc99m-MAA） was used to test the dilatation of pulmonary microvasculature.RESULTS： Typical cirrhosis and subsequent hepato- pulmonary syndrome was observed in the cirrhosis groups after an 8 wk feeding period. In rats with cirrhosis, there were a decreased PaO2 and PaCO2 in arterial blood, markedly decreased arterial 02 content, a significantly increased alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient, an increased number of bacterial translocated within mesenteric lymph node, a significant higher level of LPS and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in plasma, and a significant greater ratio of Tc99m-MAA brain-overlung radioactivity. After LPS administration in rats with cirrhosis, various pathological parameters got worse and pulmonary edema formed. The predisposition of glycine antagonized the effects of LPS and significantly alleviated various pathological alterations.
基金This study was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30472266）.
文摘Background Chinese medicine plays an important role in hepatoprotective treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of emodin and astragalus polysaccharides （APS） in a rat model of chronic hepatic injury. Methods Chronic hepatic injury was induced by hypodermic injection of an olive oil solution containing 40% carbon tetrachlodde （CCI4） twice a week, in addition to a diet of 79.5% maizena, 20% fat, 0.5% cholesterol, and 10% alcohol in the drinking water ad libitum for 12 weeks. Meanwhile, the rats were exposed to different concentrations of emodin （40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）, APS （200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）, combination drug （emodin 40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 combined with APS 200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） and colchicine （0.1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） in parallel by oral gavage （once a day for 12 weeks）. At the end of 12 weeks, blood serum and liver tissue were taken. Serum was collected to determine the levels of total bilirubin （TBIL）, alanine transaminase （ALT）, aspartate transaminose （AST）, and albumin （ALB）. Liver and spleen indexes were assayed, followed by the measurements of the liver associated enzyme superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）. Histopathological changes were studied using optical microscopy. Results Splenohepatomegalia was alleviated and serum levels of TBIL and ALT were reduced in the groups treated with emodin and APS when compared to the control group. In addition, the ALB level in the APS and combination groups was higher. Similarly, the SOD activity of liver homogenates was significantly higher in the groups treated with emodin and APS, while administration of the herbal derivatives prevented the elevation in MDA levels. Histological analysis showed that the APS and combination groups significantly ameliorated the hepatic injury. Conclusions Co-administration of emodin and APS demonstrated a synergistic action in reducing ALT and restoring ALB in the serum from a rat model of chronic hepatic injury. Emodin and APS may ameliorate t
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 39500138
文摘INTRODUCTIONLiver fibrosis is a dynamic course leading tocirrhosis from a various chronic liver diseases. Thepathological basis of fibrosis is the disturbance ofproduction and degradation of the extracellularmatrix (ECM), which causes accumulation of ECMin the liver[1,2].
基金Supported by Nature Science Foundation of Fujian Province. No.2005D094 and No.C0410025
文摘AIM： To study the therapeutic effect of exogenous interleuldn-10 on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and its passible mechanisms. METHODS： Fourty-seven SD rats were randomly divided into control group （group N） and CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis model group （group C）. After CCl4 was given for 9 wk, the model group was divided into three groups. Rats in group H were put to death immediately, rats in group T were treated with IL-10 for another three wk and then put to death, rats in group R recovered after three weeks and were then killed. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was measured by HE staining and histological activity index （HAI）. Histological activity index （HAI）, change of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ were measured by Picrosirius staining. The expression of TNF-α, HHP-2 and TIMP-1 in liver tissue was measured by S-P immunohis tochemistry.RESULTS： CCl4- induced experimental rat hepatic fibrosis model was established successfully. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was markedly lower in group T than in groups H and R, and there was no difference between the two groups. The expression of collagen types I and III was significantly suppressed in group T and was slightly suppressed in groups H and R. The positive levels of TNF-α, HHP-2 and TIHP-1 in group H increased significantly compared to those in group N （P〈0.01）. The positive signals decreased significantly in groups T and R （P〈0.01）, but positive score was significantly lower in group T than in group R （P〈 0.01）. CONCLUS10N： Exogenous IL-10 can reverse CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. IL-10 may exert its reversible effects on hepatic fibrosis by blocking CCl4-induced inflammation, inhibiting expression of HHP-2 and TIMP-1 and promoting resolution of collagen types Ⅰ and Ⅲ.
基金Supported by the Special Programs of State Science and Technology Ministry of China During the 10~(th) 5-Year Plan Period, No. 2002BA518 A12, and Open Foundation from Key Laboratory of Resource Biotechnology of Jiangsu Province, China, No. KJS00033
文摘AIM： To study the protective effects and mechanisms of Se-enriched lactobacillus on liver injury caused by carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） in mice. METHODS： Seventy-two ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups： normal group, CCl4-induced model group, low Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group （L-Se group）, and high Se-enriched lactobacillus treatment group （H-Se group）. During a 3-wk experimental period, the common complete diet was orally provided daily for normal group and model group, and the mice in L-Se and H-Se groups were given a diet with 2 and 4 mg of organoselenium from Se-enriched lactobacillus per kg feed, respectively. From the 2nd wk of experiment, the model group, L-Se group, and H-Se group received abdominal cavity injection of olive oil solution containing 500 mL/L CCl4 （0.07 mL/100 g body mass） to induce liver injury, and the normal group was given olive oil on every other day for over 2 wk. In the first 2 wk post injection with CCl4, mice in each group were killed. The specimens of blood, liver tissue, and macrophages in abdominal cavity fluid were taken. Then the activities of the following liver tissue injury-associated enzymes including glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）, superoxide dismutase （SOD）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） as well as malondialdehyde （MDA） content were assayed. Changes of phagocytic rate and phagocytic index in macrophages were observed with Wright-Giemsa stain. Plasma TNF-α level was measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of intracellular free Ca^2＋ （[Ca^2＋]i） in hepatocytes was detected under a laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS： During the entire experimental period, the AST and ALT activities in liver were greatly enhanced by CCl4 and completely blunted by both low and high doses of Se-enriched lactobacillus. The Se-enriched lactobacillus- protected liver homogenate GSH-Px and SOD activities were higher or significantly higher than those in model group and were cl
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.39970901
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of L-NAME on nitric oxide and gastrointestinal motility alterations in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Rats with cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride were randomly divided into two groups, one n =13 receiving 0.5mg.kg(-1) per day of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, for 10 days, whereas the other group (n =13) and control (n =10) rats were administrated the same volume of 9g.L(-1) saline. Half gastric emptying time and 2h residual rate were measured by SPECT, using (99m)Tc-DTPA-labeled barium sulfate as test meal. Gastrointestinal transition time was recorded simultaneously. Serum concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was determined by the kinetic cadmium reduction and colorimetric methods. Immunohistochemical SABC method was used to observe the expression and distribution of three types of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in the rat gastrointestinal tract. Western blot was used to detect expression of gastrointestinal NOS isoforms. RESULTS: Half gastric emptying time and trans-gastrointestinal time were significantly prolonged(124.0 +/- 26.4 min; 33.7 +/- 8.9 min; 72.1 +/- 15.3 min; P【0.01), (12.4 +/- 0.5h; 9.5 +/- 0.3h; 8.2 +/- 0.8h; P【0.01), 2h residual rate was raised in cirrhotic rats than in controls and cirrhotic rats treated with L-NAME (54.9 +/- 7.6%,13.7 +/- 3.2%, 34.9 +/- 10.3%, P【0.01). Serum concentration of NO was significantly increased in cirrhotic rats than in the other groups (8.20 +/- 2.48) micromol.L(-1), (5.94 +/-1.07) micromol.L(-1) and control (5.66 +/- 1.60 micromol.L(-1), P【0.01. NOS staining intensities which were mainly located in the gastrointestinal tissues were markedly lower in cirrhotic rats than in the controls and cirrhotic rats after treated with L-NAME. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal motility was remarkably inhibited in cirrhotic rats, which could be alleviated by L-NAME. Nitric oxide may play an important role in the inhibition of gastrointestinal motility in cirrhotic rats.
基金Supported by The Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities No.JKQ2011008,JKQ2011010Postdoctoral Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,China,No.1101029C
文摘AIM:To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of baicalein against carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4)-induced liver damage in mice.METHODS:Mice were orally administered with baicalein after CCl 4 injection,and therapeutic baicalein was given twice a day for 4 d.The anti-inflammation effects of baicalein were assessed directly by hepatic histology and serum alanine aminotranferease and aspartate aminotransferase measurement.Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was used to evaluate the effect of baicalein in promoting hepatocyte proliferation.Serum interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liver IL-6,TNF-α,transforming growth factor-α(TGF-α),hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and epidermal growth factor(EGF) genes expression were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:CCl4-induced acute liver failure model offers a survival benefit in baicalein-treated mice.The data indicated that the mRNA levels of IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased within 12 h after CCl 4 treatment in baicalein administration groups,but at 24,48 and 72 h,the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was kept at lower levels compared with the control.The expression of TGF-α,HGF and EGF was enhanced dramatically in baicalein administration group at 12,24,48 and 72 h.Furthermore,we found that baicalein significantly elevated the serum level of TNF-α and IL-6 at the early phase,which indicated that baicalein could facilitate the initiating events in liver regeneration.CONCLUSION:Baicalein may be a therapeutic candidate for acute liver injury.Baicalein accelerates liver regeneration by regulating TNF-α and IL-6 mediated pathways.
基金Project supported by the Hi-Tech Research and Development Program(863) of China (No. 2002AA601270)
文摘The dectrochemical reduction characteristics of carbon tetrachlofide （CT） were investigated using cyclic voltammetry in this study. In addition, the difference in reduction mechanisms of CT between Master Builders＇ iron and the catalyzed Fe-Cu process was discussed. The results showed that CT was reduced directly on the surface of copper rather than by atomic hydrogen produced at the cathode in the catalyzed Fe-Cu process. The reduction was realized largely by atomic hydrogen in Master Builders＇ iron. The entire CT in 350 ml aqueous solution with 320 mg/L was reduced to trichloromethane and dichloromethane in 2.25 h when 100 g of scrap iron with Fe/Cu ratio of 10：1 （w/w） were used. Moreover, the reduction rate slowed with time. CT could be reduced at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH from solution by Fe-Cu bimetallic media, but the mechanisms were different. The degradation rate was not significantly influenced by pH in the catalyzed Fe-Cu process; in Master Builders＇ iron it clearly increased with decreasing pH. The kinetics of the reductions followed pseudo-first order in both cases. Furthermore, the reductions under acidic conditions proceeded faster than that under the neutral and alkaline conditions. The catalyzed Fe-Cu process was superior to Master Builders＇ iron in treating CT-containing water and this advantage was particularly noticeable under alkaline conditions. The reduction was investigated in the cathode （Cu） and anode （Fe） compartments respectively, the results showed that the direct reduction pathway played an important role in the reduction by the catalyzed Fe-Cu process. The catalyzed Fe-Cu process is of practical value.
文摘INTRODUCTION Salvianolic radix,one of the most commonly usedtraditional Chinese herbs,was widely studied aboutits actions against liver injury and fibrosis,and wasone of the focuses of recent research.Salvianolic acid-A(SA-A)was an aqueous solublecomponent of Salvianolic radix.In our
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81173640)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,China(No.Y205335+1 种基金LY16H280009)the Science Foundation of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University(No.2016ZG11)
文摘Objective： To explore the effect of Biejiajian Oral Liquid（鳖甲煎口服液, BOL） on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats by detecting the changes in the levels of angiotensinⅡ（AngⅡ）, angiotensin-（1–7） [Ang-（1–7）], angiotensin-converting enzyme（ACE）, ACE2, angiotensinⅡ type 1 receptor（AT1 R）, Mas, etc. Methods： A total of 180 Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups by random digital table method： prevention experiment and treatment experiment. Each group was further subdivided into the fol owing 6 subgroups： normal control group, model group, vitamin E [100 mg/（kg·d）, VE] group, enalapril [10 mg/（kg·g）, Ena] group, high-dosage [20 g/（kg·d）] BOL group, and low-dosage [10 g/（kg·d）] BOL group. The hepatic fibrosis rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 for 6 weeks. Prevention experiment and treatment experiment were administered with specific drugs at different times. At the end of treatment experiment, the pathological changes of liver were observed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expressions of ingredients in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system（RAAS） such as AngⅡ, Ang-（1–7）, ACE, ACE2, AT1 R, Mas, renin, CYP11 B2 and angen in liver were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry method or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results： The levels of AngⅡ and Ang-（1–7） at the 6 th week increased by 496.10% and 73.64%, respectively, compared with those at the 2 nd week in the model group（P〈0.01）. With prevention or treatment with high-dosage BOL, there was an evident reduction of AngⅡ level but an improvement of Ang-（1–7） level. Specifically, AngⅡ level of high-dosage group decreased by 77.50% in prevention experiment（P=0.000） and by 76.93% in treatment experiment（P=0.002） compared with that in the model group. Ang-（1–7） level increased by 91.69% in prevention experiment（P=0.006） and by 70.77% in the treatment e
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No.20306030） and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation （No.2003033240）.
文摘This paper describes a new method for producing TiCl4 by chloridizing materials of high content CaO and MgO, in which a combined fluidized bed is used as a reactor to avoid agglomeration between particles caused by molten CaCl2 and MgCl2. The combined fluidized bed consists of at least a riser tube and a semi-circulating fluidized bed. Two kinds of high titanium slag, in which the total mass content of CaO and MgO is 2.03% and 9.09% respectively, are employed to examine the anti-agglomeration effect and the conversion of the materials when the temperature ranges are between 923.15K and 1073.15K, gas apparent velocity 0.7--1.1m.s-1, and inlet amount of solid materials is 4.6-7.0kg·h^-1. It is found that the anti-agglomeration effect in the combined fluidized bed is satisfactory and the new method can achieve a TiCl4 production capacity of 14.0-75.4t·m^-2·d^-1 in relation to 25.0-- 40.0t·m^-2·d^-1 from the conventional bubble bed. Furthermore, low-temperature chloridization, for example, at 923K or 973K, can also be used to produce TiCl4 and avoid agglomeration.
基金Supported by Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Universities in Guangxi(Guangxi Education Research)No.[2014] 6
文摘AIM To reveal the protective mechanism of the combined use of vitamin D and puerarin in the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4).METHODS Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control group(C group), a CCl4 group(CCl4 group), a vitamin D group(V group), a puerarin group(P group), and a combined group of vitamin D and puerarin(V + P group), each of which contained ten rats. In this way, we built a rat model of CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis with intervention by vitamin D, puerarin, or a combination of the two. After eight weeks, the mice were sacrificed to collect serum and liver specimens. Blood was collected to detect the hyaluronic acid(HA). We also measured hydroxyproline(Hyp) and prepared paraffin sections of liver. After Sirius red staining, the liver specimens were observed under a microscope. RT-PCR and western blot analysis were adopted to detect the mRNA and the proteinlevels of Collagen I, Collagen III, Wnt1, and β-catenin in the liver tissues, respectively.RESULTS Hepatic fibrosis was observed in the CCl4 group. In comparison, hepatic fibrosis was attenuated in the V, P, and V + P groups: the HA level in blood and the Hyp level in liver were reduced, and the mRNA levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, Wnt, and β-catenin in liver were also decreased, as well as the protein levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin. Among these groups, the V + P group demonstrated the greatest amelioration of hepatic fibrosis.CONCLUSION The combined application of vitamin D and puerarin is capable of alleviating CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis of rats. As to the mechanism, it is probably because the combined use is able to silence the Wnt1/β-catenin pathway, suppress the activation of hepatic stellate cells, and reduce the secretion of collagen fibers, therefore improving the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41472223)
文摘As an effective conventional absorbent, biochar exhibited limited adsorption ability toward small hydrophobic molecules. To enhance the adsorption capacity, a novel adsorbent was prepared by immobilizing nanoscale zero-valent iron onto modified biochar（MB） and then the elemental silver was attached to the surface of iron（Ag/Fe/MB）. It＇s noted that spherical Ag/Fe nanoparticles with diameter of 51 nm were highly dispersed on the surface of MB. As the typical hydrophobic contaminant, carbon tetrachloride was selected for examining the removal efficiency of the adsorbent. The removal efficiencies of carbon tetrachloride by original biochar（OB）, Ag/Fe, Ag/Fe/OB and Ag/Fe/MB were fully investigated. It＇s found that Ag/Fe/MB showed higher carbon tetrachloride removal efficiency, which is about 5.5 times higher than that of the OB sample due to utilizing the merits of high adsorption and reduction. Thermodynamic parameters revealed that the removal of carbon tetrachloride by Ag/Fe/MB was a spontaneous and exothermic process, which was affected by solution p H, initial carbon tetrachloride concentration and temperature. The novel Ag/Fe/MB composites provided a promising material for carbon tetrachloride removal from effluent.
基金Supported by The Chinese Human Liver Proteome Project, No. 2004BA711A19-08National 863 Project, No.2007AA02Z100
文摘AIM: To evaluate the effects of positive regulation of recombinant human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (rhIL-1Ra) on hepatic tissue recovery in acute liver injury in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ). METHODS: Acute liver damage was induced by injecting 8-wk-old mice with CCl 4 1 mL/kg (1:3 dilution in corn oil) intraperitoneally (ip). Survival after liver failure was assessed by injecting 8-wk-old mice with a lethal dose of CCl 4 2.6 mL/kg (1:1 dilution in corn oil) ip. Mice were subcutaneously injected with 1 mg/kg recombinant human IL-1Ra twice a day after CCl 4 treatment for 5 d. Serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined with a commercial assay kit. Serum IL-1β, IL-1Ra levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine liver IL-1β, IL-1Ra and IL-6 expression during CCl 4-induced acute liver injury. Liver sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. A histology-injury grading system was used to evaluate the degree of necrosis after acute liver injury. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining was used to evaluate the role of rhIL-1Ra in promoting hepatocyte proliferation. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis showed a higher level of IL-6 mRNA expression and reduced serum AST and ALT levels in the livers of the rhIL-1Ra-treated group at the early phase of CCl 4-induced acute liver injury. Histological examination indicated a decrease in centrilobular necrotic areas in mice treated with rhIL-1Ra, and a novel role of rhIL-1Ra in promoting hepatocyte proliferation was also supported by an increase of PCNA staining. All these results, accompanied by a strong survival benefit in rhIL-1Ra-treated vs PBS-treated groups, demonstrated that rhIL-1Ra administration ameliorated the histological damage and accelerated the regeneration and recovery process of the liver. CONCLUSION: rhIL-1Ra could be further developed as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of
文摘AIM: To examine the expression of activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGFbeta) superfamily, recently has been reported to be overexpressed in liver cirrhosis, in the course of carbon tetrachloride-induced rat hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injections of 40% carbon tetrachloride oily solution for a period of 1 to 7 weeks. At the end of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 weeks after carbon tetrachloride injections, the rats were killed in group (6-10 rats each time) for study. The activin A messenger RNA expression and its protein localization were assessed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The normal rat liver expressed activin A mRNA and protein, and its expression was transiently decreased and became undetectable after carbon tetrachloride injections for 2 or 3 weeks and then increased gradually. After injection of carbon tetrachloride for 6 and 7 weeks, activin A mRNA and protein expressions were significantly enhanced in rat liver. Compared with that of the normal rat liver. Activin A mRNA expression levels in rats receiving carbon tetrachloride injections for 6 and 7 weeks were 1.6 and 2.2 times that of those in normal rat liver respectively (0.456 +/- 0.094 vs 0.2860.0670, P【 0.01; 0.620 +/- 0.134 vs 0.286 +/- 0670, P【 0.01). Immunohistochemistry showed that activin A expressed in hepatocytes of normal liver, and its expression was decreased in rats receiving carbon tetrachloride for 2 or 3 weeks. Compared with normal liver, activin A expression distribution mode changed in fibrotic liver, being increased significantly in hepatocytes around fibrotic areas. CONCLUSION: Activin A expression was increased in late stage of hepatic fibrosis, and this may be involved in hepatic fibrosis formation in this period.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41075094,21177140,20977097)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB05010100)the National Basic Research Program(973)of China(No.2010CB732304)
文摘Atmospheric peroxyacetyl nitrate （PAN）, peroxypropionyl nitrate （PPN）, and carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） were measured from September 2010 to August 2011 in Beijing. PAN exhibited low values from mid-autumn to early spring （October to March） with monthly average concentrations ranging from 0.28 to 0.73 ppbV, and increased from early spring to summer （March to August）, ranging from 1.37-3.79 ppbV. The monthly variation of PPN was similar to PAN, with low values （below detection limit to 0.18 ppbV） from mid-autumn to early spring, and a monthly maximum in September （1.14 ppbV）. The monthly variation of CCl4 was tightly related to the variation of temperature, exhibiting a minimum in winter （69.3 pptV） and a maximum of 180.6 pptV in summer. Due to weak solar intensity and short duration, PAN and O3 showed no distinct diurnal patterns from morning to night during winter, whereas for other seasons, they both exhibited maximal values in the late afternoon （ca. 15：00 to 16：00 local time） and minimal values during early morning and midnight. Good linear correlations between PAN and PPN were found in autumn （R = 0.91）, spring （R = 0.94）, and summer （R = 0.81）, with slopes of 0.130, 0.222, and 0.133, respectively, suggesting that anthropogenic hydrocarbons dominated the photochemical formation of PANs in Beijing. Positive correlation between PAN and O3 in summer with the low slopes （AO3/APAN） ranging from 9.92 to 18.0 indicated serious air pollution in Beijing, and strong negative correlation in winter reflected strong O3 consumption by NO titration and less thermal decompositin of PAN.
