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Preventive and therapeutic effects of enalapril on liver fibrosis in rats
Yi Liu, Ji-Qiang Li
Yi Liu, Ji-Qiang Li, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Second Medical University Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200001, China
Correspondence to: Dr. Ji-Qiang Li, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, 145 Shandong Middle Road, Shanghai 200001, China. leejiqiang@21cn.com
Received: May 7, 2004 Revised: June 9, 2004 Accepted: June 24, 2004 Published online: September 15, 2004
AIM: To study the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, on the extent of liver fibrosis in experimental fibrotic rats induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4).
METHODS: Liver fibrosis in rats was induced by CCl4. Rats were assigned into control group, model group, prevention groups and treatment groups. Except for rats in control group, all rats were given subcutaneous injection of 400 mL/L CCl4, once every 3 days for 10 weeks. Rats in prevention groups were also given enalapril via gastrogavage. But rats in treatment groups were given enalapril from the fifth week to the end via gastrogavage. At the end of tenth week, livers and spleens were measured and specimens of liver were stored. The extent of liver inflammation and fibrosis was evaluated with HE and Masson staining. We also observed the ultrastructures of hepatocytes under electron microscope.
RESULTS: After using enalapril, the body weights of model group, enalapril prevention groups and enalapril treatment groups decreased significantly as compared with that of control group (P <0.01). Compared with model group, the liver and spleen indexes of enalapril prevention and treatment groups decreased significantly (P <0.01), enalapril prevention and treatment groups of higher dose considerablely attenuated the extent of liver inflammation and fibrosis (P <0.01). The extent of hepatotic injury in enalapril prevention and treatment groups of higher dose decreased significantly than that of model group under electron microscope.
CONCLUSION: Enalapril has better preventive and therapeutic effects on experimental liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4.
Key Words: N/A
Citation: Liu Y, Li JQ. Preventive and therapeutic effects of enalapril on liver fibrosis in rats. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2004; 12(9): 2119-2122
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