Effect of bile acid on expression of farnesoid X receptor, interleukin-6 and recovery of liver function after hepatectomy in rats with cirrhosis of liver

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of bile acid on the expression of farnesoid X receptor, interleukin-6 and recovery of liver function after hepatectomy in rats with cirrhosis of liver. Methods The liver cirrhosis model was prepared by feeding 24 SD rats with 0.03% thioacetamide solution. After the hepatectomy, the rats were divided into control group and experimental group by simple random method, 12 rats in each group. The control group was fed with normal standard feed, while the experimental group was fed with a diet containing 0.2% bile acid. One week later, the inferior vena cava blood was taken for liver function test, and then the experimental animals were sacrificed, and the residual liver tissue was quickly taken out for use. The expression of FXR and IL-6 and the recovery of liver function were detected by Western blotting and automatic chemiluminescence analysis. Data comparison was performed using the t test. Results Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT) and in vivo bile acid levels in the experimental group were (156.4±32.5) U/L, (203.3±38.6) U/L, (6.68±3.90) μmol/L, which was lower than the control group (215.6±42.3) U/L, (273.8±42.1) U/L, (6.51±4.30) μmol/L, the difference was statistically significant (t=4.432, 2.566, 2.114, P=0.004, 0.025, 0.035); The hepatic mitotic index(MI), hepatocyte proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) labeling index and nuclear DNA content in the experimental group were (2.89±0.67)%, (4.76±0.89)% and (8.82±2.12)%, which were higher than the control group (1.12±0.34)%, (2.46±0.68)% and (3.98±1.16)%, the difference was statistically significant (t=4.688, 5.069, 6.858, P=0.003, 0.006, 0.005). The level of IL-6 in the experimental group was (1.34±0.56) ng/mL, and that in the control group was (1.68±0.55) ng/mL. The experimental group was significantly lower than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.29, P=0.02). Conclusion Bile acid can promote FXR, reduce IL-6 inflammatory mediators, promote liver function recovery and liver regeneration in rats. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Hepatectomy; Liver regeneration; Bile acid