Effects of Aqueous Extract of Plumbago zeylanica L. in the Reversal of DMN-induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rat

[ Objectives ] This study was conducted to evaluate the action of the aqueous extract of a medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica L. in the reversal of dime- thylnitrosamine （DMN） -induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, and to provide a scientific basis for the utilization of P. zeylanica in treatment of hepatic fibrosis. [Meth- ods ] Hepatic fibrosis in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of DMN. The rats were then given the aqueous extract of P. zeylanica at high, medium or low concentration by garage for five weeks. Serum level of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） was determined by lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）-release assay, and serum level of aspartate transaminase （AST） was measured by UV-malate dehydrogenase （MDH） assay. Serum levels of total bilirubin （TBIL）, direct bilirubin （DBIL） and indirect bilirubin （1BIL） were measured by vanadate oxidation assay. Four indices of hepatic fibrosis （hyaluronic acid, laminin, procollagen type III and colla- gen type IV） were determined by radioimmunoassay （RIA） assay. Morphological damage of liver tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining （H＆E stai- ning）. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the location and area of deposited collagen type I, collagen type III and ct-smeoth muscle actin （a-SMA） in liver tissue. [ Results] Compared with the negative control （rats with diseased fiver and untreated with P. zeylanica aqueous extract）, the serum lev- els of ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL and IBIL were significantly decreased by P. zeylanica aqueous extract; the levels of the four serum indices of hepatic fibrosis were also obviously reduced. H＆E staining showed that hepatic fibrosis in rats was obviously inhibited or even reversed by P. zeylanica aqueous extract. Immunohisto- chemical staining proved that the aqueous extract of P. zeylanica significantly reduced the area and coloration of collagen type I, collagen type III and ct-SMA in rat liver. [ Conclusions] The aqueous extract of P. zeylanica has a definite effect in reversal of DMN-indueed hepatic fibrosis in rat by promoting the recovery of liver function, reversal of histopathological changes and reducing fibrotic collagen.

Effects of Soy Isoflavones on the Sex Hormone Level and Pathological Changes in the Perimenopausal Syndrome Animal Model

[Objectives] To observe the effect of soy isoflavones on the perimenopausal syndrome model of female rats,and to find its mechanism,in order to provide experimental evidence for the clinical treatment of menopausal syndrome. [Methods]50 female SD rats were randomly divided into five groups,with 10 rats in each group,respectively,for the normal control group,sham operation group,model group,diethylstilbestrol group,soy isoflavone treated group,except the normal control group and sham operation group,the other groups were ovariectomized rats,the formation model of perimenopausal rats treated with normal saline,diethylstilbestrol,soy isoflavone by gavage,normal control group and sham operation group were given the same dose of normal saline and soy isoflavone by gavage. After 6 weeks of continuous treatment,abdominal aorta was taken blood,the serum was isolated,and radioimmunoassay method to measure E_2( Eestradiol),P( Progesterone),T( Testosterone). And removal of the pituitary gland,uterine and adrenal prepared pathological section,experimental effect was observed by light microscopy,using immunohistochemical method to observe the brain pituitary FSH( Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH( Luteinizing Hormone) levels. [Results] Radiation immune analysis results showed that soy isoflavone could significantly improve serum E_2 level in ovariectomized rats,compared with the model group,the statistical analysis showed significant difference( P < 0. 05),but the serum P and T level had little effect. The pathological results showed that( i) uterus: the uterine wall and endometrial thickness of soy isoflavone group was between that of model group and sham operation group,the surface epithelium was columnar,glands increased;( ii) pituitary gland: soy isoflavone ovariectomized group cells were between model group and normal group;( iii) adrenal gland: soy isoflavone group adrenal tissue did not change significantly. Immunohistochemical results showed that soy isoflavone group pituitary tissues of FSH and LH cells compared with the model group decreased significantly. [Conclusions] The soy isoflavones could make the uterus wall and endometria of perimenopausal syndrome animal model thicken,improve the serum level of E_2 in ovariectomized rats,and decrease the level of FSH and LH,but had little effect on the adrenal tissues,level of T and P.

Advances in In-vitro Culture Technology of Human Fetal Hepatic Stellate Cells

Liver is an important organ for human metabolism and biological conversion. Medical research on hepatic disease clinic, drug metabolism and drug effi- cacy evaluation all needs an in-vitro model of liver as a research platform. Hepatic stellate cells are core cells for occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. Stud- ies at home and abroad deemed that human fetal hepatic stellate cells are an ideal material for the construction of an in-vitro research model for liver fibrosis. With clinical and basic research of liver going deeper, the requirements to quantity and quality of in-vitro models of fetal hepatic stellate cells become higher and higher. The advances in isolation, culture and cryopreservation technique of human fetal hepatic stellate cells were reviewed in this paper.