16S rRNA Technology Approach to Explore Mechanism of Qishen Decoction in Improving Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Fibrosis

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Qishen Decoction in the treatment of nonalcoholicfatty liver fibrosis (NAFLF) by 16S rRNA technology. Methods: NAFLF rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride combined with high fat diet. During the modeling period, each group was given corresponding drug intervention treatment for 8 weeks. The changes of liver histopathology, serum liver function, lipid and liver fibrosis were analyzed and compared after treatment in each group. The contents of cecum end were collected and the intestinal flora was sequenced by Illumina Miseq platform. Results: Compared with the model group, Qishen Decoction could significantly improve the pathological changes of liver tissue in NALFL rats, and reduce the NAS score, oil red staining area, collagen staining area, ALT, AST, TC, TG, HA, LN, PIIINP and C-IV levels, with significant differences (P<0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, the intestinal flora abundance and diversity of the rats in the model group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), Qishen decoction could significantly increase the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora of NAFLF rats (P<0.05), and upregulated the abundance of Bacteroidales_S24-7_group_unclassified, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillu s, Turicibacter, Parabacteroides, Phascolarctobacterium, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002, Parasutterella, Odoribacter, Anaerostipes, Ruminococcaceae_unclassified, Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Holdemanella, and Haem ophilus, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Qishen Decoction inhibits liver fibrosis in NAFLF rats by restore the diversity of intestinal flora and increase the abundance of probiotics in intestinal tract.