Effect of salvianolic acid B on levels of TGF-β1, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in rats with liver fibrosis

Abstract

AIM: To observe the levels of TGF-β1, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in the livers of rats with hepatic fibrosis, and the effects of salvianolic acid B (SA-B) on it. METHODS: An animal model of hepatic fibrosis was established by injecting DMN (dimethyl nitroxide) solution into the abdominal cavity for four continuous weeks. Levels of TGF-β1, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in liver tissue were assessed by S-P immunohistochemical staining using polyclonal antibodies against TGF-β1, MMP-2 and TIMP-2. Pathological characteristics of liver tissue were observed by microscopy after hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining. Levels of ALT, AST and Alb were detected using an auto- biochemical analytical tool in the laboratory test department of our hospital. Serum levels of HA, LN were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: Compared with rats in the liver fibrosis group, the pathologic manifestations of those in the SA-B-treated group improved significantly. The levels of ALT, AST, HA and LN in the treated group were significantly lower than those in the liver fibrosis group (87.0±28.7 U/L vs 190.4±27.4 U/L, 85.6±25.3 U/L vs 178.2±15.9 U/L, 179.7±32.8 mg/L vs 433.3±86.1 mg/L, 135.6±21.1 mg/L vs 224.7±29.2 mg/L, P＜0.01). Expression levels of TGF-β1 and TIMP-2 in the SA-B-treated group were significantly lower than those in the liver fibrosis group (18.53±2.54 vs 12.78±2.65, 21.88±3.83 vs 14.69±4.51, P＜0.01), and there was no difference in the expression of MMP-2 between the treated group and the hepatic fibrosis group. CONCLUSION: SA-B is efficient for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis; the mechanisms possibly involve the inhibition of TGF-β1 and TIMP-2.