The Effects Of Splenectomy On The Expression Of CTGF In The Liver And The Serum Level Of CTGF Of The Rats With Hepatic Fibrosis

Objectives To discuss the effects of splenectomy on hepatic fibrosis, we tried to study the effects of splenectomy on the expression of CTGF in the liver and the serum level of CTGF of the rats with hepatic fibrosis.Methods80male Sprague-Dawley rats in cleaning grade were divided into two groups randomly at the beginning:72rats were chosen to be the1iver fibrosis model group,8rats were in the normal control group. By hypodermic injection CCL4, we established72rat models with hepatic fibrosis. The model group rats were randomly divided into three groups, splenectomy were performed in three groups at different phases: before hypodermic injection CCL4(A group)、five weeks after hypodermic injection CCL4(B group)、tenth weeks hypodermic injection CCL4(C group). As a control group, the sham operation group were established at the same time.Then took samples of the livers and serum of the rats in different phases. The degrees of hepatic fibrosis were detected by HE staining and the expressions of CTGF in the liver were detected by immunohistochemistry technique. Absorbance values of CTGF were measured by HPIAS-1000computer color image analysis systems. The serum levels of CTGF were analyzed by ELISA technique.Results(1) The positive results of immunohistochemistry of CTGF,brown materials, was mainly distributed in cytoplasm of hepatic interstitial cells that lay in portal areas、fiberseptation、inflammation areas, and a little in sinus hepatocyte.(2) The level of CTGF in the liver in different periods were0.016±0.007,0.108±0.011,0.159±0.008;and the serum levels of CTGF of the rats in different periods were:3.211±0.225,11.91±0.595,22.008±2.308. The results indicated that with the development of hepatic fibrosis, the expression of CTGF in the liver and the serum level of CTGF increased (P<0.01)(3) The serum level of CTGF of the rats among the operation groups respectively were(ng/ml):7.064±0.326,12.245±0.448,17.001±0.252; However the serum levels of CTGF of the rats without splenectomy in the same periods respectively were(ng/ml):20.925±1.023,22.356±1.285,23.129±1.221.The results indicated that the serum levels of CTGF of the rats after splenectomy were significantly lower than which of the rats without splenectomy (P<0.05).(4) We detected the effects of splenectomy on hepatic fibrosis after HE staining:the progression of hepatic fibrosis in A group is slowly; Hepatic pathologic state relieved significantly in B group; The inflammation and fibrosis is relieved in C group.(5) The absorbance values of CTGF of the rats among the operation groups respectively were:0.049±0.011,0.072±0.013,0.098±0.018; And the absorbance values of CTGF of the rats without splenectomy in the same periods respectively were:0.157±0.035,0.165±0.012,0.182±0.029。 The results indicated that absorbance values of CTGF in the operation group were significantly lower then the control groups (p<0.05).(6) The absorbance values of CTGF in liver and the serum level of CTGF of the rats among the operation groups were analyzed by q test.The time of splenectomy is earlier, the levels of CTGF in liver is lower. The time of splenectomy can influence the decrease of CTGF (p<0.05).Conclusion(1) With the development of hepatic fibrosis, the expressions of CTGF in the liver and the serum level of CTGF of the rats increased.(2) Splenectomy could degrade the levels of CTGF in the liver and the serum levels of CTGF of the rats, which conduce relieve hepatic fibrosis.(3) The time of splenectomy is earlier, the effect of splenectomy on hepatic fibrosis is better.