[Effect of hepcidin on the development of alcoholic liver disease in rats]

To establish an alcoholic liver disease model in rats to study the effect of Hepcidin on the development of alcoholic liver disease.

Fourty SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, 20 for each group. Saline [10 mL/(kg x d)] and 56% ethano infusion [10 mL/(kg x d)] were given orally to the rats for 12 weeks for the control and experimental group, respectively. The serum ALT, AST, and iron, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) content in the hepatic tissue were determined. RT-PCR was employed to examine the expression of Hepcidin mRNA in the liver. The histopathological changes of the liver tissues were examined through HE, Sudan IV and immunohistochemical stainings.

The rats in the experimental group had greater serum ALT, AST and iron, and decreased SOD activity and increased MDA activity than those in the control group (P<0.01). The rats in the experimental group had enlarged livers, with rough surface and grey-yellow color. The rats in the experimental group had more local hepatocellular necrosis, inflammatory cells, and large fat droplets, and larger red tangerine staining sectors in the livers than those in the control group (P<0.05). Higher positive expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the liver tissues were found in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.01). The rats in the experimental group had lower levels of mRNA of Hepcidin than those in the control group (P<0.01).

The rats with alcoholic livers have increased expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 and decreased expression of Hepcidin in the liver tissues.