Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 15, 2004; 10(12): 1775-1779
Published online Jun 15, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i12.1775
Inhibition of Fas/FasL mRNA expression and TNF-α release in concanavalin A-induced liver injury in mice by bicyclol
Min Li, Geng-Tao Liu
Min Li, Geng-Tao Liu, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica and Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Grant from Ministry of Science and Technology of China, No. 94-ZD-02
Correspondence to: Professor Geng-Tao Liu, Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica and Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China. gtliu2002@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-10-63165178 Fax: +86-10-63017757
Received: January 2, 2004
Revised: January 9, 2004
Accepted: January 16, 2004
Published online: June 15, 2004
Abstract

AIM: Bicyclol, 4,4’-dimethoxy-5,6,5’,6’-dimethylene-dioxy-2-hydroxymethyl-2’-carbonyl biphenyl, is a new anti-hepatitis drug. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of bicyclol on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced immunological liver injury in mice and its mechanism.

METHODS: Liver injury was induced by injection of Con A via tail vein of mice and assessed biochemically and histologically. Serum transaminase and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Liver lesions were observed by light microscope. Expressions of TNF-α, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA in the livers were measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTS: Serum transaminase level and liver lesions in Con A-induced mice were markedly reduced by oral administration of 100, 200 mg/kg of bicyclol. TNF-α level in serum was also reduced by bicyclol. Con A injection induced up-regulation of TNF-α, IFN-γ, Fas and FasL mRNA expression in liver tissues. Bicyclol significantly down-regulated the expression of IFN-γ, Fas and FasL mRNA, but only slightly affected TNF-α mRNA expression in liver tissues.

CONCLUSION: Bicyclol protects against Con A-induced liver injury mainly through inhibition of Fas/FasL mRNA expression in liver tissues and TNF-α release in mice.

Keywords: $[Keywords]