[Dynamic changes of alpha-AR, beta1-AR and beta2-AR expression during hepatic fibrogenesis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the dynamic changes of a-AR, b1-AR and b2-AR expression in hepatic fibrosis.

METHODS

Rat hepatic fibrosis model was established by bile duct ligation (BDL). HE and Masson staining were used to determine hepatic fibrosis levels. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect alpha -smooth muscle actin (alpha -SMA), a marker of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation; Western blot and real-time RT-PCR were used to measure the dynamic changes of alpha -AR, beta(1)-AR, beta(2)-AR expression on protein and mRNA levels, respectively, during the development of hepatic fibrosis.

RESULTS

(1) HE and Masson trichrome staining showed that the liver fibrosis models were established successfully. (2) At 1, 2, 3, 4 wk after BDL, alpha -SMA positive area density of the model group (10.58% +/- 1.75%, 24.14% +/- 2.02%, 29.74% +/- 2.59%, 34.28% +/- 2.01%) was significantly higher than that of the sham operation group (4.12% +/- 1.51%), P less than 0.01. (3) The expression of alpha -AR, beta(1)-AR, beta(2)-AR protein and mRNA was increased with the development of the hepatic fibrosis (P less than 0.05). (4) alpha -SMA expression was positively associated with alpha -AR, beta(1)-AR, beta(2)-AR, r values were 0.564, 0.753 and 0.606, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The expression of alpha -SMA is increased dramatically during the fibrosis, and is positively associated with the expression of alpha -AR, beta(1)-AR and beta(2)-AR.