结直肠癌奥沙利铂化疗耐药机制的研究进展

结直肠癌是临床最常见的肿瘤之一。目前国内外对中晚期结直肠癌的患者仍以手术为主,化疗为辅的综合治疗方案。2017年NCCN指南推荐含有奥沙利铂的FOLFOX、Cape OX方案是一线化疗方案,但近一半患者因化疗耐药而致生存率降低。因此,寻找肿瘤细胞对化疗的耐药靶点进而提高化疗疗效,成为结直肠癌化疗亟待解决的关键性问题。同时在精准医学时代,寻找特异性的分子标志物也将成为研究热点。本文将对有关奥沙利铂化疗耐药机制、逆转及精准医学应用的新进展进行综述。

ABCG2在人绒毛膜癌耐药细胞株中的表达研究

目的:研究多药耐药基因ABCG2在人绒毛膜癌亲本细胞株(JEG-3)及耐药细胞株(JEG-3/VP16)中的表达情况,探讨ABCG2在绒毛膜癌耐药性中所起的作用。方法:用逆转录聚合酶链式扩增反应(RT-PCR)检测ABCG2的mRNA表达,用蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测ABCG2的蛋白质水平的表达,并采用流式细胞技术测试出两种细胞株中ABCG2阳性细胞的比例。结果:RT-PCR和Western blot结果显示:在JEG-3细胞及JEG-3/VP16细胞中均可检测到ABCG2 mRNA和蛋白的表达,但JEG-3/VP16细胞中ABCG2 mRNA的表达(1.74±0.07)和蛋白的表达(1.13±0.09)水平要明显高于JEG-3细胞(0.86±0.06和0.64±0.05),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);流式细胞检测结果示:ABCG2在JEG-3/VP16细胞中的阳性表达率(50.66±3.82)%要明显高于在JEG-3细胞中的阳性表达率(14.78±1.02)%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:ABCG2在耐药性人绒毛膜癌细胞株JEG-3/VP16中高表达,提示ABCG2可能参与了绒毛膜癌的耐药机制。

In vitro Study of Interstitial Combination Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Glioma

Objective： To investigate the inhibitory effects of combination chemotherapy of Carboplatin （CBP）, Teniposide （Vm-26）, Methasquin （MTX）, and Nimodipine （NIM） on glioma, and to explore the sensitivity of glioma cells to different treatment regimens so as to provide some clues for clinical usage of interstitial combination chemotherapy. Methods： MTT assay and 3H-TdR incorporation assay were performed to evaluate the inhibitory effects upon the proliferation of glioma cells, and to compare the sen- sitivity of glioma cells to administration of CBP, Vm-26, MTX, and NIM with that of the administration of CBP＋NIM, Vm-26＋NIM, MTX＋NIM, CBP＋Vm-26＋MTX, or CBP＋Vm-26＋MTX＋NIM, respectively. Results： The inhibition rate of CBP＋Vm-26＋MTX＋NIM combination administration against glioma cells was 96.64%, higher than that of CBP＋NIM （69.03%）, Vm-26＋NIM （71.53%）, MTX＋NIM （52.75%）, CBP＋Vm-26＋MTX （78.59%） （P〈0.01）, and the dosage of CBP, Vm-26, and MTX was declined to 1/10- 1/100 that of respective use of CBP, Vm-26, and MTX. Conclusion： The curative effect of combination administration of CBP, Vm-26, MTX, and NIM was much better than that of respective administration, suggesting a higher inhibition rate and a lower dosage use.

Studies on the Mechanism of Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Apoptosis in HepG_2 Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

OBJECTIVE To study the anti-tumor effect of arsenic trioxide on the HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, and to explore its mechanism of action. METHODS The MTT assay was used to determine the inhibitory effect of As2O3 on HepG2 cells at various As2O3 concentrations. The expression of p-JNK, caspase-3 and PARP was detected by Western blots. RESULTS As2O3 markedly inhibited the growth of the HepG2 cells and induced apoptosis. The results of Western blot analysis showed that the As2O3-induced apoptosis was accompanied by caspase-3 and PARP activation. p-JNK was detected at 10 min following As2O3 treatment, and preceded to peak at 20 min, and decreased by 30 min. The total protein content did not obviously change. The activation of JNK occurred prior to cell apoptosis. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, suppressed the As2O3-induced activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. CONCLUSION As2O3 inhibits the proliferation of human HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis in vitro. As2O3-induced apoptosis is accessed through the caspase-3 pathway. The JNK signal-transduction pathway and caspase-3 are involved upstream in the As2O3 induced HepG2 apoptotic response.

Expression and location of Smad2,4 mRNAs during and after liver fibrogenesis of rats

AIM： To investigate the location alteration of Smad2 and Smad4 mRNAs in the liver during and after fibrogenesis in rats. METHODS： Eighty male Wistar rats weighing approximately 200 g each were used. The rat models of experimental hepatic fibrosis were established by injection with carbon tetrachloride （CCh）, normal rats and rats were injected with olive oil and served as control groups. In situ hybridization（ISH） was used to detect the Smad2 and Smad4 mRNA in liver. RESULTS： In situ hybridization showed Smad2 and Smad4 mRNA expressions in the cytoplasm of hepatic stellate cells （HSC）, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts around the central vein and hepatic sinus during and after fibrogenesis. Expression of Smad2, 4 mRNA was higher than that in normal and control rats. CONCLUSION： In the process of and after hepatic fibrosis formation, HSC, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the major cells that express Smad2 and Smad4. The more serious the hepatic fibrosis is in the injured liver, the higher the level of Smad2 and Smad4 gene expression is during and after fibrogenesis respectively.

Novel susceptibility genes in inflammatory bowel disease

The inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are polygenic disorders with important environmental interactions. To date, the most widely adopted approach to identifying susceptibility genes in complex diseases has involved genome wide linkage studies followed by studies of positional candidate genes in loci of interest. This review encompasses data from studies into novel candidate genes implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Novel techniques to identify candidate genes-genome wide association studies, yeast-two hybrid screening, microarray gene expression studies and proteomic profiling, are also reviewed and their potential role in unravelling the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease are discussed.

Decreased phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells in a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model

AIM: To investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity,using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. METHODS: Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet,followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups,using the immunohistochemical staining technique. RESULTS: After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet,CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity,20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group,compared with the controls,with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group. CONCLUSION: CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase,although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged,indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality,which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.

Effective siRNA targets screening for human telomerase reverse transcriptase

AIM: To study the inhibitory effects of siRNAs targeting different hTERT sequences and to screen the effective siRNA sequence.METHODS: Five double-stranded siRNAs targeting coding and non-coding regions of hTERT gene were designed and synthesized by T7 transcription system in vitro. siRNA4sequence was screened by full length gene targeting technique and the rest of the siRNA sequences were selected randomly. After being purified by ethanol precipitation, the siRNAs were transfected to the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HepG2) by Lipofectamine 2000TM. At 48-72 h after siRNAs transfection, MTT assay,RT-PCR and Western-blot were applied to evaluate the effects of siRNAs on cell growth, mRNA and protein expression level of hTERT gene, respectively.RESULTS: Compared to the control cells, the cells treated with the five double-stranded siRNAs exhibited different degrees of inhibition of cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. siRNA2 and siRNA4, exhibited obvious effects of inhibiting hTERT mRNA and protein expression in HepG2cells.CONCLUSION: siRNAs targeting different hTERT sequences have significantly various inhibitory effects on hTERT gene expression. The siRNA sequence screened by full length gene targeting technique has comparable inhibitory effect with the rest siRNA sequences screened by random selection, suggesting that siRNAs and antisense oligonucleic acids may have the same effective target sites. Compared with chemical synthesis method,synthesizing double-stranded siRNA by T7 transcription system in vitro is a rapid, simple, and inexpensive method suitable for screening high-effect siRNA targeting site for specific gene.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis after fluorouracil chemotherapy for rectal cancer

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a relatively rare condition characterized by intraluminal gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Several chemotherapeutic agents have been reported to be associated with PCI, although fluorouracil-related PCI is extremely rare. We report a case of a 76-year old man who received adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer with fluorouracil (FU) and leucovorin (LV). After 1 cycle of the treatment, he presented with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal radiogram revealed the presence of free air under the diaphragm and intramural gas in the intestine. Laparotomy was performed, showing a suspected diagnosis of perforation in the gastrointestinal tract. Intraoperative findings revealed penumatosis of the intestine without evidence of perforation. He was treated supportively and his symptoms improved. In conclusion, we should consider the possibility of PCI occurring in patients with malignancies during chemotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy as a component of multimodal therapy for gastric carcinoma

Prognosis of locally advanced gastric cancer remains poor, and several multimodality strategies involving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have been tested in clinical trials. Phase Ⅲ trial testing the benefit of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy over treatment with surgery alone have revealed little impact on survival, with the exception of some small trials in Western nations. A large trial from the United States exploring postoperative chemoradiation was the first major success in this category. Results from Japanese trials suggest that moderate chemotherapy with oral fluoropyrimidines may be effective against less-advanced （T2-stage） cancer, although another confirmative trial is needed to prove this point. Investigators have recently turned to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and some promising results have been reported from phase Ⅱ trials using active drug combinations. In 2005, a large phase Ⅲ trial testing preand postoperative chemotherapy has proven its survival benefit for resectable gastric cancer. Since the rate of pathologic complete response is considered to affect treatment results of this strategy, neoadjuvant chemoradiation that further increases the incidence of pathologic complete response could be a breakthrough, and phase Ⅲ studies testing this strategy may be warranted in the near future.

Idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (or abdominal cocoon):A report of 5 cases

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction that is characterized by a thick grayish-white fibrotic membrane encasing the small bowel. SEP can be classified as idiopathic,also known as abdominal cocoon,or secondary. It is difficult to make a definite pre-operative diagnosis. We experienced five cases of abdominal cocoon,and the case files were reviewed retrospectively for the clinical presentation,operative findings and outcome. All the patients presented with acute,subacute and chronic intestinal obstruction. Computed tomography (CT) showed characteristic findings of small bowel loops congregated to the center of the abdomen encased by a soft-tissue density mantle in four cases. Four cases had an uneventful post-operative period,one case received second adhesiolysis due to persistent ileus. The imaging techniques may facilitate pre-operative diagnosis. Surgery is important in the management of SEP.

Liver cirrhosis induced by long-term administration of a daily low dose of amiodarone: A case report

The anti-arrhythmic agent amiodarone （AD） is associated with numerous adverse effects, but serious liver disease is rare. The improved safety of administration of daily low doses of AD has already been established and this regimen is used for long-term medication. Nevertheless, asymptomatic continuous liver injury by AD may increase the risk of step-wise progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We present an autopsy case of AD-induced liver cirrhosis in a patient who had been treated with a low dose of AD （200 rag/d） daily for 84 too. The patient was a 85-year-old male with a history of ischemic heart disease. Seven years after initiation of treatment with AD, he was admitted with cardiac congestion. The total dose of AD was 528 g. Mild elevation of serum aminotransferase and hepatomegaly were present. Liver biopsy specimens revealed cirrhosis, and under electron microscopy numerous lysosomes with electron-dense, whorled, lamellar inclusions characteristic of a secondary phospholipidosis were observed. Initially, withdrawal of AD led to a slight improvement of serum aminotransferase levels, but unfortunately his general condition deteriorated and he died from complications of pneumonia and renal failure. Long-term administration of daily low doses of AD carries the risk of progression to irreversible liver injury. Therefore, periodic examination of liver function and/or liver biopsy is required for the management of patients receiving long-term treatment with AD.

Distinction between short-segment Barrett's esophageal and cardiac intestinal metaplasia

AIM： To investigate the roles of mucin histochemistry, cytokeratin 7/20 （CK7/20） immunoreactivity, clinical characteristics and endoscopy to distinguish short- segment Barrett＇s esophageal （SSBE） from cardiac intestinal metaplasia （CIM）. METHODS： High iron diamine/Alcian blue （HID/AB） mucin-histochemical staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to classify intestinal metaplasia （IN） and to determine CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern in SSBE and CIM, respectively, and these results were compared with endoscopical diagnosis and the positive rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） symptoms and H pylori infection. Long-segment Barrett＇ s esophageal and IM of gastric antrum were designed as control. RESULTS： The prevalence of type III IM was significantly higher in SSBE than in CIM （63.33% vs 23.08%, P〈0.005）. The CK7/20 immunoreactivity in SSBE showed mainly Barrett＇s pattern （76.66%）, and the GERD symptoms in most cases which showed Barrett＇ s pattern were positive, whereas H pylori infection was negative. However, the CK7/20 immunoreactivity in CIM was gastric pattern preponderantly （61.54%）, but there were 23.08% cases that showed Barrett＇s pattern. H pylori infection in all cases which showed gastric pattern was significantly higher than those which showed Barrett＇ s pattern （63.83% vs 19.30%, P〈0.005）, whereas the GERD symptoms in gastric pattern were significantly lower than that in Barrett＇s pattern （21.28% vs 85.96%,P〈O.O05）. CONCLUSION： Distinction of SSBE from CIM should not be based on a single method; however, the combination of clinical characteristics, histology, mucin histochemistry, CK7/20 immunoreactivity, and endoscopic biopsy should be applied. Type III IM, presence of GERD symptoms, and Barrett＇s CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern may support the diagnosis of SSBE, whereas non-type III IM, positive H pylori infection, and gastric CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern may imply CIM.

Therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on coagulation disorder and accompanying intractable jaundice in hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis patients

AIM： TO observe the therapeutic effects of new traditional Chinese medicine （TClVl） therapy on coagulation disorder and accompanying intractable jaundice in HBV-related liver cirrhosis patients. METHODS： Using stratified random sampling according to fibrinogen （Fib） levels, 145 liver cirrhosis patients due to hepatitis B complicated by coagulation disorder were treated. Of them, 70 in research group were treated with TCM by ＂nourishing yin, cooling blood and invigorating blood circulation＂ and Western medicine, 75 in control group were treated with conventional Western medicine. The indexes of liver function, coagulation function and bleeding events were observed and compared. RESULTS： The prothrombin time （PT） was shorter and the fibrinogen （Fib） level was higher in the research group than in the control group （Fib = 1.6-2.0 g/L, 1.1-1.5 g/L, and ≤ 1.0 g/L）. The total bilirubin （TBIL） level was significantly lower in the research group than in the control group, except for the subgroup of FIB ≤ 1.0 g/L. CONCLUSION： TCM therapy can improve coagulation fuction and decrease TBIL.

Gaucher disease:New developments in treatment and etiology

Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disease which if undiagnosed or diagnosed late results in devastating complications. Because of the heterozygous nature of GD, there is a wide spectrum of clinical presentation. Clinicians should be aware of this rare but potentially treatable disease in patients who present with unexplained organomegaly, anemia, massive splenomegaly, ascites and even cirrhosis of unknown origin. The treatment options for adult type GD include enzyme replacement treatment (ERT) and substrate reduction treatment (SRT) depending on the status of the patient. Future treatment options are gene therapy and "smart molecules" which provide specifi c cure and additional treatment options. In this review, we present the key issues about GD and new developments that gastroenterologists should be aware of.

Local regulator adrenomedullin contributes to the circulatory disturbance in cirrhotic rats

AIM： To investigate whether adrenomedullin, a potent vasodilator peptide, plays a role in the circulatory disturbance in cirrhosis. METHODS： Cirrhosis was induced in rats by weekly gavage of carbon tetrachloride. Hemodynamic studies were performed in vivo using radioactive microspheres and in vitro using isolated aortic rings. The adrenomedullin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS： Acute administration of adrenomedullin to the control rats reduced the systemic arterial pressure along with an increase of serum levels of the stable metabolite of nitric oxide （NOx）, in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic infusion of adrenomedullin reduced the vascular resistance and increased the blood flow in the systemic and splanchnic circulation. Intravenous administration of anti-adrenomedullin antibody did not affect any hemodynamic parameters in the cirrhotic rats, whereas this antibody ameliorated the blunted contractile response to phenylephrine, o-adrenergic receptor agonist, in the aortic rings of the cirrhotic rats. The adrenomedullin concentrations in the aorta were higher in the cirrhotic rats than in the controls, and correlated with the mean arterial pressure in the cirrhotic rats. Moreover, adrenomedullin blunted the contractile response to phenylephrine in both of the control aorta and cirrhotic aorta, but not in the presence of NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester, an NO synthase inhibitor. CONCLUSION： Adrenomedullin overproduced in the vascular wall may contribute to the circulatory disturbance in cirrhosis as a local regulator of the vascular tonus rather than a circulating hormone.

Superoxide dismutase prevents development of adenocarcinoma in a rat model of Barrett's esophagus

AIM： To test whether antioxidant treatment could prevent the progression of Barrett＇s esophagus to adenocarcinoma. METHODS： In a rat model of gastroduodenoesophageal reflux by esophagojejunal anastomosis with gastric preservation, groups of 6-10 rats were randomized to receive treatment with superoxide dismutase （SOD） or vehicle and followed up for 4 too. Rat＇s esophagus was assessed by histological analysis, superoxide anion and peroxinitrite generation, SOD levels and DNA oxidative damage. RESULTS： All rats undergoing esophagojejunostomy developed extensive esophageal mucosal ulceration and inflammation by mo 4. The process was associated with a progressive presence of intestinal metaplasia beyond the anastomotic area （9% 1st mo and 50% 4th too） （94% at the anastomotic level） and adenocarcinoma （11% 1^ST mo and 60% 4th too）. These changes were associated with superoxide anion and peroxinitrite mucosal generation, an early and significant increase of DNA oxidative damage and a significant decrease in SOD levels （P〈0.05）. Exogenous administration of SOD decreased mucosal superoxide levels, increased mucosal SOD levels and reduced the risk of developing intestinal metaplasia beyond the anastomotic area （odds ratio = 0.326; 95%CI： 0.108-0.981; P = 0.046）, and esophageal adenocarcinoma （odds ratio = 0.243; 95%CI： 0.073-0.804; P = 0.021）. CONCLUSION： Superoxide dismutase prevents the progression of esophagitis to Barrett＇s esophagus and adenocarcinoma in this rat model of gastrointestinal reflux, supporting a role of antioxidants in the chemoprevention of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

PHASE Ⅱ STUDY OF GEMCITABINE COMBINED WITH PLATINUM CHEMOTHERAPY FOR RECURRENT EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER

Objective To evaluate the anti-tumor effect and toxicity of gemcitabine combined with platinum chemotherapy on recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods Phase Ⅱ study of gemcitabine combined with platinum chemotherapy was carried out in 22 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Median age of patients was 50. 5 years old. Seven patients were platinum-sensitive and 15 patients were platinum-resistant or -refractory. All patients received gemcitabine combined with carboplatin or oxa/iplatin chemotherapy. Patients＇ response rate （RR） and toxicity of gemcitabine combined with platinum chemotherapy were evaluated. Results A total of 98 gemcitabine-based chemotherapy cycles were performed. Total RR was 36. 4%, RR of platinum-sensitive patients was 4/7 and platinum-resistant and -refractory patients was 4/15. The estimated median survival time was 10.0 months （95% CI. 7.0-13.0） after initiation of gemcitabine combined with platinum chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in survival time between platinum-resistant/refractory group and platinum-sensitive group （P = 0. 061 ）. Side effects of gemcitabine combined with platinum chemotherapy were observed in 81.8% of patients. Grade Ⅱ/Ⅲ anemia （54. 5% ） and grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ neutropenia （54. 5% ） were most common toxicities. Ten （45.5%） patients had to delay their chemotherapy cycles or reduce the dose of chemotherapeutic drugs because of the severe side effects. Fourteen （63.6%） patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to relieve neutropenia, and 8 （ 36. 4% ） patients received component blood transfusion to treat anemia or thrombocytopenia. There was no treatment-associated death. Conclusion Gemcitabine combined with platinum chemotherapy appears to be an effective and well-tolerant treatment for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, including platinum-resistant or -refractory diseases.

Deprescribing antihypertensive treatment in nursing home patients and the effect on blood pressure

Background It is debatable whether treating multimorbid nursing home patients with antihypertensive drugs produces beneficial effects. Most cardiovascular guidelines promote treatment; few have advice on how to deprescribe when treatment may no longer be necessary. We investigated the effect of medication review on antihypertensive drug use and the association between cognition, blood pressure, and prescribing. Methods From August 2014 to December 2015, 765 patients from 72 units （clusters） in 32 Norwegian nursing homes were included in a 4-month, multicentre, cluster-randomized, controlled trial, with 9-month follow-up. Patients ≥ 65 years old with antihypertensive treatment （n = 295, 39%） were randomized to systematic medication review where the physician received support from peers （collegial mentoring） or were given care as usual （control condition）. Outcome measures were the number of antihypertensive drugs, systolic blood pressure, and pulse. We used hospitalizations and deaths as criteria to assess harm. Results At baseline, each patient used 9.2 ± 3.5 regular drugs, and 1.6 ± 0.7 antihypertensives. Mean blood pressure was 128/71 mmHg and 9% had a systolic pressure ≥ 160 mmHg. Between baseline and month four, antihypertensives were deprescribed to a significantly higher extent in the intervention group （n = 43, 32%） compared to control （n = 11, 10%）; Incidence Rate Ratio = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.7？0.9. In the intervention group, there was an immediate increase in systolic blood pressure when antihypertensives were reduced, from baseline 128 ± 19.5 mmHg to 143 ± 25.5 mmHg at month four. However, at month nine, the blood pressure had reverted to baseline values （mean 134 mmHg）. Deprescription did not affect pulse and systolic pressure. The number of hospitalizations was higher in control patients at month four （P = 0.031） and nine （P = 0.041）. Conclusion A systematic medication review supported by collegial mentoring significantly decreased the use of antihypertensive drugs in nursing home patients without an effect on the systolic blood pressure over time.

Effects of total glucosides of peony on immunological hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To study the effects of total glucosides of peony (TGP) on immunological hepatic fibrosis induced by human albumin in rats.METHODS: Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into: Normal group, model group, TGP (60 and 120 mg/kg) treatment groups and colchicines (0.1 mg/kg) treatment group. On the day before the rats were killed, those in TGP or colchicine groups received TGP or colchicine as above from the first day of tail vein injection of human albumin. The rats in normal and model groups were only administered with the same volume of vehicle. At the end of the 16th wk, rats in each group were killed. Blood and tissue specimens were taken. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), nitric oxide (NO), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), were measured by biochemical methods. Serum procollagen type Ⅲ (PC Ⅲ) and laminin (LN) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Liver collagen level was determined by measuring hydroxyproline content in fresh liver samples. Hepatic tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and examined under a light microscope.RESULTS: Histological results showed that TGP improved the human albumin-induced alterations in the liver structure, alleviated lobular necrosis and significantly lowered collagen content. The antifibrotic effect of TGP was also confirmed by decreased serum content of LN and PCⅢ in TGP-treated group. Moreover, the treatment with TGP effectively reduced the hydroxyproline contentin liver homogenates. However, the level of ALT and AST increased in fibrotic rat but had no significance compared with normal control, whereas the ratio of A/G decreased without significance. TGP had no effect on level of ALT, AST and the ratio of A/G. Furthermore, TGP treatment significantly blocked the increase in MDA and NO, associated with a partial elevation in liver total antioxidant capacity including SOD and GSH-px.CONCLUSION: TGP has beneficial effects on hepaticfibrosis in rats by inhibition of collagen synthesis and decreasing oxidative stress.