The use of bicyclol in the treatment of severe liver fibrosis: experimental rationale

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of bicyclol with promising clinical effects on diffuse parenchymal liver diseases.Materials and methods: We have included 40 adult male Wistar rats (weight, 180 to 200g) with experimentally inducted toxic F3 stage liver fibrosis. Control group consisted of 16 rats that received standart chow, experimental group of 24 rats also received 30-day bicyclol supply. To evaluate the results we used histological, biochemical, molecular genetic and statistical methods.Results. In experimental group interlobular fibrosis was maintained in 4,16% (p<0,001) of cases after the end of the therapy, stromal fibrosis of portal tracts was observed in 62,5% (p<0,001) of cases. Periportal fibrosis detection rate in experimental group was 66,7% (p<0,001). Rats from experimental group showed regression of liver fibrosis to F1- F2 stage in 16,6% (METAVIR) whereas control group had F3 stage liver fibrosis in 62,5% (p <0,05). Statistically significant increase in ALT activity and decreased total protein levels in control group were observed. No changes in gut microbiome profile in experimental animals were found.Conclusion. Use of bicyclol led to pronounced suppression of liver fibrotic changes in laboratory animals and temporary decreased serum ALT level. Our study showed no link between therapeutic effects of the drug and gut microbiome status.