[Changes of lipid peroxidation in liver fibrogenesis induced by dimethylnitrosamine and drugs' intervention].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pathological actions of lipid peroxidation implicated in liver fibrogenesis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), and the mechanism of Fuzheng Huayu 319 decoction (319 decoction) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) actions against liver fibrosis.

METHODS

A liver fibrotic model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of DMN in rats, and treated with 319 decoction and IFN-gamma, respectively. The liver sections were stained with HE and ponceau for collagens, and the liver functions were assayed. The contents of hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. The correlation among SOD, MDA and Hyp was analyzed.

RESULTS

In the models, hepatic collagens proliferated remarkably and fibrous septa were formed. Serum ALT activities increased. Both Hyp and MDA enhanced obviously, but SOD decreased markedly. SOD was significantly negatively correlated with MDA and Hyp, respectively (r=-0.70, -0.73, P<0.01), and MDA was significantly positively correlated with Hyp (r=0.88, P<0.01). While both 319 decoction and IFN-gamma attenuated collagen proliferation and deposition, decreased ALT level, increased SOD activity, but decreased MDA and Hyp contents.

CONCLUSIONS

DMN can cause hepatic lipid peroxidation, which is closely involved in liver fibrogenesis induced by DMN. The effect against hepatic lipid peroxidation is one of the important mechanisms of 319 decoction and IFN-gamma actions against liver fibrosis.