Effect of matrine on transforming growth factor β1 and hepatocyte growth factor in rat liver fibrosis model

AbstractObjectiveTo observe the preventive and control effect of matrine on transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) of liver fibrosis tissue in rats.MethodsA total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into A, B, C, D groups with 12 in each, group A as the normal control group and groups B, C, D as liver fibrosis models using composite modulus method with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4). Group B was the model group, group C adopted γ-interferon lavage therapy in the second day of modeling, and group D adopted matrine lavage treatment, at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. Six rats were executed for detection of TGF-β1 and HGF, liver tissue histology and comparison fibrosis degree changes of rat liver tissue between groups.ResultsGroups B, C, D showed a more significantly increased TGF-β1 at each time point compared with group A (P<0.05); Group B showed a more significantly increased TGF-β1 than groups C and D at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05); group D showed a lowest level of TGF-β1, followed by groups C and B. HGF of group B decreased more significantly than A group at weeks 4 and 8 (P<0.05); HGF of groups C and D was significantly elevated at 4 and 8 weeks than groups A and B (P