Abstract
The liver is the only visceral organ that exhibits a remarkable capability of regenerating in response to partial hepatectomy (PH) or chemical injury. Improving liver regeneration (LR) ability is the basis for the favourable treatment outcome of patients after PH, which can serve as a potential indicator for postoperative survival. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Yiqi Huoxue recipe (YQHX) on LR after PH in rats and further elucidate its underlying mechanism. A two-thirds PH rat model was used in this study. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated, PH, YQHX + PH, and Fuzheng Huayu decoction (FZHY) + PH groups. All rats were sacrificed under anesthesia at 24 and 72 h after surgery. The rates of LR were calculated, and the expression levels of cyclin D1 and c-jun were determined by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of p-JNK1/2, JNK1/2, p-c-jun, c-jun, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blotting, while the mRNA levels of JNK1, JNK2, c-jun, Bax, and Bcl-2 were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At the corresponding time points, YQHX and FZHY administration dramatically induced the protein levels of p-JNK1/2 compared to the PH group (p < 0.05), while FZHY + PH group showed prominently increase in p-JNK1/2 protein levels compared to the YQHX + PH group (p < 0.05). A similar trend was observed for the expression levels of p-c-jun. Compared to the PH group, YQHX and FZHY markedly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax at 24 h after PH, while those in the FZHY + PH group decreased more obviously (p < 0.05). Besides, in comparison with the PH group, YQHX and FZHY administration predominantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 at 24 and 72 h after PH (p < 0.05). In conclusion, YQHX improves LR in rats after PH by inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis via the JNK signaling pathway.
Highlights
Following injuries by physical, chemical, or biological hazards, the remnant normal hepatocytes may compensate for the lost tissue, regain its original mass, and restore the liver function by entering the cell cycle and promoting cell proliferation. is phenomenon is termed as liver regeneration (LR), a complex and dynamic process that involves multiple pathways and factors [1]
Compared to the partial hepatectomy (PH) group (14.20 ± 2.016%), the rates of LR in the Yiqi Huoxue recipe (YQHX) + PH group (25.41 ± 4.028%) and Fuzheng Huayu decoction (FZHY) + PH group (30.86 ± 0.105%) were markedly increased at 24 h after PH (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between these two intervention groups (p > 0.05)
At 72 h following PH, the rates of LR in the YQHX + PH group (41.28 ± 1.987%) and FZHY + PH group (42.61 ± 5.303%) were higher compared to PH group (32.56 ± 1.987%), but no significant difference was observed among the three groups (p > 0.05)(Table 2)
Summary
Chemical, or biological hazards, the remnant normal hepatocytes may compensate for the lost tissue, regain its original mass, and restore the liver function by entering the cell cycle and promoting cell proliferation. is phenomenon is termed as liver regeneration (LR), a complex and dynamic process that involves multiple pathways and factors [1]. Chemical, or biological hazards, the remnant normal hepatocytes may compensate for the lost tissue, regain its original mass, and restore the liver function by entering the cell cycle and promoting cell proliferation. Is phenomenon is termed as liver regeneration (LR), a complex and dynamic process that involves multiple pathways and factors [1]. Our previous work [3] has demonstrated that YQHX may be an effective therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats via regulating hepatocyte autophagy, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, and reducing collagen deposition. Traditional Chinese medicine possesses unique advantages in antifibrosis, due to its ability to suppress liver inflammation, improve hepatic blood flow, and promote LR.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
