The effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters and adrenergic receptors on liver fibrosis in murine schistosomiasis.
- Author:
Rui-xian DUAN
1
;
Wang-xian TANG
;
Cui-huan WU
;
Hong-yan LIU
;
Xiao GAO
;
Yan GUO
;
Yong-wei CHENG
;
Yu-zhen YANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Dopamine; blood; Liver; pathology; Liver Cirrhosis; metabolism; parasitology; pathology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Neurotransmitter Agents; blood; Norepinephrine; blood; Receptors, Adrenergic; blood; Schistosomiasis; metabolism
- From: Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2008;16(5):352-354
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters and adrenergic receptors on liver fibrosis in murine schistosomiasis.
METHODSMice were infestated with schistosoma by means of pasting cercariae on their abdomens. Thirty mice were randomly divided into a control group and a model group. Hematoxylin eosin and Van Gieson staining were used to view the histopathology of their livers. Immunofluorescence histochemistry and laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy were used to measure the a1A and beta2 adrenergic receptors in livers of the two groups of mice. High performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD) was used to determine the concentration of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the plasma of the mice.
RESULTSImmunofluorescence histochemistry showed that a1A and beta2 receptors were present in hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoids of the livers of the mice of the two groups, but there were many more in the livers of the schistosoma infected mice (t=-2.888; t=-6.648) (P<0.05). The results of HPLC-ECD showed that the levels of NE and DA in the model group were higher than those of the control group (t=-3.372; t=-4.428) (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONSympathetic neurotransmitters and adrenergic receptors may participate in liver fibrogenesis in mice infected with schistosoma.
