Experimental study of effect of Ganyanping on fibrosis in rat livers.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To observe the effects of Ganyanping on CCl(4)-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, CCl(4) was injected subcutaneously, at a dosage of 3 ml/kg for 9 weeks. 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 weeks after CCl(4) administration. In group C, Ganyanping was administered 8 weeks after the intoxication, and treatment lasted for 4 weeks. 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.