Published online Apr 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i7.1037
Revised: September 17, 2003
Accepted: October 22, 2003
Published online: April 1, 2004
AIM: To study the reversing effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on established liver fibrosis in rats.
METHODS: Following confirmation of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, GbE or saline was administrated to the rats for 4 weeks. The remaining rats received neither CCl4 nor GbE as normal control. The four groups were compared in terms of serum enzymes, tissue damage, expression of αSMA and tissue inhibitor-1 of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) and metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1).
RESULTS: Compared with saline-treated group, liver fibrosis rats treated with GbE had decreased serum total bilirubin (P < 0.01) and aminotransferase levels (P < 0.01) and increased levels of serum albumin (P < 0.01). Microscopic studies revealed that the livers of rats receiving GbE showed allieviation in fibrosis (P < 0.05) as well as expression of αSMA (P<0.01). The liver collagen and reticulum contents were lower in rats treated with GbE than saline-treated group (P < 0.01). RT-PCR revealed that the level of TIMP-1 decreased while the level of MMP-1 increased in GbE group.
CONCLUSION: Administration of GbE improved CCl4–induced liver fibrosis. It is possibly attributed to its effect of inhibiting the expression of TIMP-1 and promoting the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells.