Basic Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2005; 11(8): 1155-1160
Published online Feb 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i8.1155
Effects of Guiyuanfang and autologous transplantation of bone marrow stem cells on rats with liver fibrosis
Li-Mao Wu, Lian-Da Li, Hong Liu, Ke-Yong Ning, Yi-Kui Li
Li-Mao Wu, Lecturer, Institute of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, Zhejiang Province, China
Lian-Da Li, Academician, Affiliated Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100091, China
Hong Liu, Postdoctoral, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 501405, Guangdong Province, China
Ke-Yong Ning, Doctoral Student, Basic Medicine Group, Affiliated Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100091, China
Yi-Kui Li, Doctoral Student, Basic Medicine Group, Affiliated Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100091, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Li-Mao Wu, Institute of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310031, Zhejiang Province, China. wulimao@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-571-87217250 Fax: +86-571-87217212
Received: July 17, 2004
Revised: July 18, 2004
Accepted: August 25, 2004
Published online: February 28, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Guiyuanfang and bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) on rats with liver fibrosis.

METHODS: Liver fibrosis model was induced by carbon tetrachloride, ethanol, high lipid and assessed biochemically and histologically. Liver function and hydroxyproline contents of liver tissue were determined. Serum hyaluronic acid (HA) level and procollagen III level were performed by radioimmunoassay. The VG staining was used to evaluate the collagen deposit in the liver. Immunohistochemical SABC methods were used to detect transplanted BMSCs and expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA).

RESULTS: Serum transaminase level and liver fibrosis in rats were markedly reduced by Guiyuanfang and BMSCs. HA level and procollagen III level were also reduced obviously, compared to model rats (HA: 47.18±10.97 ng/mL, 48.96±14.79 ng/mL; PCIII: 22.48±5.46 ng/mL, 26.90±3.35 ng/mL; P<0.05). Hydroxyproline contents of liver tissue in both BMSCs group and Guiyuanfang group were far lower than that of model group (1227.2±43.1 μg/g liver tissue, 1390.8±156.3 μg/g liver tissue; P<0.01). After treatment fibrosis scores were also reduced. Both Guiyuanfang and BMSCs could increase the expression of uPA. The transplanted BMSCs could engraft, survive, and proliferate in the liver.

CONCLUSION: Guiyuanfang protects against liver fibrosis. Transplanted BMSCs may engraft, survive, and proliferate in the fibrosis livers indefinitely. Guiyuanfang may synergize with BMSCs to improve recovery from liver fibrosis.

Keywords: Liver fibrosis; Guiyuanfang; Bone marrow stem cells; Transplantation