| Objective To investigate the role of all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA) in the early stage of alcoholic liver fibrosis in rats, by observing its effects on the expressions of TGF-β1,CTGF and Col1a1.Methods Tirthy rats were randomly divided into three groups : Model group was given the mixture of ethanol and corn oil;Treated group were given the same mixture for eight weeks, and then was added ATRA(150ug/kg.d ); Control group was given the same amount of normal saline plus corn oil. All the mixtures were given intragastricly. Animals were killed after 16 weeks. The hepatic retinoic acid concentration was examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). TGF-β1 ,CTGF and Col1a1 mRNAs were measured by RT-PCR. The proteins of TGF-β1 and CTGF were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Ethanol intaking led to alcoholic hepatitis. The damage was reversed partially in treated group. The hepatic retinoic acid; concentration was decreased in model group compared with control group, which was restored in treated group. The expression of Col1a1 mRNA increased remarkably in model group and decreased in treated group after given ATRA . In compairation with control group , the ethanol treatment elevated the expressions of mRNA s and the proteins of TGF-β1 and CTGF significantly ( P < 0. 05) ,but the increasing went down after ATRA treatment( P < 0. 05).Conclusion These results demonstrate that small amount of ATRA supplementation blocks the development of the ethanol-induced liver fibrosis in the early stage, through suppressing the expressions of TGF-β1, CTGF and Col1a1. |
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