Effects of AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan, on rat hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4).

• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v6.i4.540
• Publication Date: 2000-08-01
• Authors: Hongshan Wei; Dingguo Li; Han‐Ming Lu; Yutao Zhan; Zhirong Wang; Xin Huang; Jing Zhang; Jilin Cheng; Qinfang Xu
• Keywords: Hepatic fibrosis; Subcutaneous injection

AIM:To investigate effect of losartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist, on hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4); and to determine whether or not receptors are expressed stellate cells. METHODS AND RESULTS:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing (180 plus minus20)g, were randomized into five groups (control group, model three losartan treated groups), in which all rats given the subcutaneous injection 40% CCl(4)(every 3 days for 6 weeks) except control group. Rats losartan-treated with (20 mg/kg, 10 5 daily gavage). After weeks liver tissue serum samples examined. Serum hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type III (PC III) detected radioimmunoassays. van Giesion collagen staining was used evaluate extracellular matrix fibrosis. The expression receptors, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), alpha-smooth muscle actinalpha-SMA) determined immunohistochemical techniques. Compared ALT AST significantly reduced (italic>t = 4.20,P < 0.01 italic>t 4.57,P 0.01). HA PC also had significant differences 3.53,P<0.01 t=2.20, P<0.05). degree improved correlated expressions TGF-beta, alpha-SMA tissue.CONCLUSION:AT1 could limit progression CCl(4). mechanism may be related decrease ameliorating injury hepatocytes; activation local renin-angiotensin system might relate fibrosis; during fibrosis, activated cells express receptors.