Evaluation of a T cell growth factor (TcGF) in a model of liver injury induced immunologically

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TcGF in a model of liver injury induced immunologically by chronic administration of porcine serum (PS). For the study 32 male Wistar rats (200 g) were used. Animals were divided into 4 groups of treatments (n=8): (1) Control (PBS 0.5 ml 3 times a week for 8 weeks), (2) TcGF (50 ng/kg 3 times a week for 4 weeks), (3) PS (373 mg/kg twice a week for 8 weeks), and (4) PS + TcGF. At the end of the 8th week of treatment animals were sacrificed using CO2 chamber. Liver morphology was evaluated by optic microscopy using H&E and Masson stain, liver functions (ALT, AST, PA, and bilirubins) and lymphocyte T population (CD3, CD4 and CD8) were evaluated in blood samples. Animals treated with PS developed alterations on portal structure, and liver fibrosis; there was an increase in the serum activity of ALT (2.9‐fold), TB (1.0‐fold) and DB (3.9‐fold) in comparison with the control (p< 0.05). There was an increase in CD3 (2.15‐fold) and CD8 cells (4.87‐fold) compared with control (p< 0.05). Rats with liver injury and treated with TcGF showed a reduction in portal alterations, showed less fibrosis, a reduction of ALT (47%) and an increase in CD3 and CD8 cells (1.93‐fold and 3.88‐fold) as compared with PS group (P < 0.05). TcGF induced by itself increases in CD3 and CD8 cells. In conclusion, the treatment with TcGF reduced the liver injury and improved the liver function in animals treated with PS.