Effects of blueberry on the expression of PPARγ and PDGF-B in rat hepatic fibrosis

Abstract

To explore the effects of blueberry on the expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) in rat hepatic fibrosis. A total of 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis (model group), blueberry prevention (BB group), DSHX prevention (DSHX group) and blueberry+DSHX prevention (BB+DSHX group) (n = 9 each). Fibrous liver models of rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 and high-lipid/low-protein diet for 8 weeks except for control group. Then the expressions of collagen I (ColI), PPARγ and PDGF-B were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and Western blot respectively. Compared with the control group, the expression of PPARγ decreased and those of ColI and PDGF-B were elevated in model group (P < 0.05). The expression of PPARγ increased and ColI and PDGF-B decreased in BB, DSHX and BB+DSHX groups as compared to model group (P < 0.05). The inhibitory effects of blueberry in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis may be correlated with the activation of PPARγ, the inhibited expression of PDGF-B and the reduced synthesis of extracellular matrix.