Effect of matrine on transforming growth factor β1 and hepatocyte growth factor in rat liver fibrosis model

To observe the preventive and control effect of matrine on transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) of liver fibrosis tissue in rats.

A total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into A, B, C, D groups with 12 in each, group A as the normal control group and groups B, C, D as liver fibrosis models using composite modulus method with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4). Group B was the model group, group C adopted γ-interferon lavage therapy in the second day of modeling, and group D adopted matrine lavage treatment, at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Six rats were executed for detection of TGF-β1 and HGF, liver tissue histology and comparison fibrosis degree changes of rat liver tissue between groups.

Groups B, C, D showed a more significantly increased TGF-β1 at each time point compared with group A (P<0.05); Group B showed a more significantly increased TGF-β1 than groups C and D at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05); group D showed a lowest level of TGF-β1, followed by groups C and B. HGF of group B decreased more significantly than A group at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05); HGF of groups C and D was significantly elevated at 4 and 8 weeks than groups A and B (P<0.05), in which the group D showed the highest level of HGF. According to tissue histologic observation, rat liver tissue structure of group A was clear and normal, tissue structure of group B was destroyed with obvious fibrous tissue hyperplasia and fatty change of hepatic cells; groups C and D showed a slighter liver tissue damage, cell necrosis and connective tissue hyperplasia in collect abbacy than group B with a trend of obvious improvement.

Matrine can reduce TGF-β1 expression and enhance the activity of HGF, so as to realize the inhibition effect on liver fibrosis in rats.