ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the action and mechanism of cordyceps polysaccharide on rat acute liver failure (ALF). METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, model group, and cordyceps polysaccharide groups with high, middle and low doses (20, 10 and 5 mg/ml). Apoptosis was detected through TUNEL method. Protein expressions of caspase 1, IL-18, IL-10, VEGF, and SDF-1α in liver tissue are detected by Western Blot. PCNA and sIRPα1 contents were measured by PCR method. Rat ALF is modeled with a D-galactosamine induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RESULTS: The results after modelling showed tissue HE staining wiith typical manifestation of acute liver injury. Compared with the medicated group, serum ALT and AST, as well as hepatocyte apoptosis are significantly higher in the liver failure group, in a time-dependent way. This suggests that medication can effectively inhibit the expression of caspase 1, IL-18, and IL-10, while simultaneously increasing the expression of VEGF and SDF-1α, as well as of PCNA and sIRPα1. Cordyceps polysaccharide can alleviate the immune inflammatory response in acute liver failure, and may be specifically homing to the damaged liver, thus promoting the secretion of VEGF, proliferation of hepatocyte, regeneration of liver vessels, and repair of liver tissues. CONCLUSION: Medication can reduce the IL-10 level, regulate the equilibrium of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, and decrease the level of caspase 1 and IL-18 (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 18).
