OBJECTIVETo study the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in rat liver fibrosis model induced by CCl4 and the role of IFN-gamma.

METHODSLiver fibrosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of CCl4. The rats were divided into fibrosis model group, Bie-Jia-Ruan-Gan-Tablet treatment group and IFN-gamma treatment group (0.2 MU.kg.d, i. m. for 12 weeks), and another 10 rats without any treatment were used as normal control. Bcl-2 and Bax proteins expression were detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBcl-2 was expressed weakly in the homogenate of hepatocytes and hepatic sinusoid in normal control rats, and it was expressed stronger in fibrous septae, portal area, hepatic sinusoid, the homogenate and membrane of hepatocytes and central vein in fibrosis model rats (3.87%+/-2.37% vs 9.46%+/-4.29%, t=2.83, P<0.05). Bax was expressed slightly in central vein and the hepatic sinusoid around, and it was expressed stronger in the homogenate of hepatocytes, hepatic sinusoid, fibrous septae, membrane of hepatocytes and epithelial cells of bile duct (3.50%+/-1.88% vs 9.80%+/-3.75%, t=3.72, P<0.01). Compared with that in fibrosis model rats, the expression of Bax was significantly lower in rats treated with IFN-gamma (9.80%+/-3.75% vs 5.85%+/-2.35%, t=2.98, P<0.01), but the expression of Bcl-2 was not significantly different (t=1.49, P>0.05), however it was significantly lower in fibrous septae in IFN-gamma-treated group than in model group (6.58%+/-4.13% vs 9.46%+/-4.29%, t=2.80, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Bcl-2 and Bax increases in liver fibrosis model rats, and IFN-gamma can promote myofibroblasts apoptosis