Objective To investigate the effect of high-fat diet(HFD)on liver damage caused by autoimmune hepatitis(AIH)in mice.Methods Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were divided randomly into four groups:standard chow(SC)group,HFD group,AIH + SC group and AIH+ HFD group.AIH model was built after feeding for one week and all mice were sacrificed after four weeks.Liver and spleen tissues and serum were collected. Liver histopathology was detected by HE staining. Serum alanine aminotransperase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels were measured.Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)analysis were used to test the expressions of NLR pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1).The concentrations of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technology.The amount of Th17 cells in spleen was analyzed by FACS.Means among groups were analyzed with one-way ANOVA.SNK-q analysis was used for groups with homogeneity of variance, while nonparametric test was used for groups with variance nonhomogeneity.Results Histologically,the H&E staining of liver tissue from HFD group showed adipose degeneration,and there was inflammation around vessel in AIH+SC group.Moreover,in AIH+HFD group,the inflammation was more serious with mildly adipose degeneration.Compared with SC group,serum levels of ALT and AST increased in HFD group and AIH +SC group,and greatest increase was observed in AIH+ HFD group.The differences were statistically significant(F=57.12 and 37.58, both P<0.05).The proportions of Th17 cells in SC group,HFD group,AIH+ SC group and AIH+HFD group were(2.98 ± 0.90)%,(6.89 ± 0.99)%,(6.47 ± 1.08)% and(9.96 ± 0.83)%, respectively.The differences among all groups were statistically significant(F=54.05,P<0.05).The concentrations of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in each group were as follows:SC:IL-1β[(7.62 ± 2.81)ng/L],IL-6 [(106.54 ± 53.08)ng/L],T NF-α[(107.26 ± 36.20)ng/L];HFD:IL-1β[(25.06 ± 7.09)ng/L],IL-6 [(220.11 ± 47.41)ng/L],TNF-α[(273.77 ± 33.62)ng/L];AIH+SC:IL-1β[(17.49 ± 5.68)ng/L],IL-6 [(260.73 ± 50.29)ng/L],TNF-α[(250.49 ± 81.63)ng/L];AIH+ HFD:IL-1β[(52.04 ± 10.22)ng/L], IL-6[(785.93 ± 70.91)ng/L],TNF-α[(913.97 ± 64.57)ng/L].The differences were statistically significant(F=44.66,242.15 and 233.49,respectively,all P<0.05).The expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 were significantly increased in AIH+ HFD group than the other three groups(all P<0.05). Conclusions High-fat diet potentiates liver damage induced by autoimmune hepatitis,which might relate to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines,the activation of Th17 cells and the NLRP3 inflammasome as well as pyroptosis.

Objective To study the immunoregulatory effect of sodium butyrate(NaB)on T helper cell 17(Th17)and the effect on toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)signal pathway in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).Methods Fifty male C57BL/6 mice(6 weeks of age)according to the random number table method divided into control group(n=10),AIH group(n=10),NaB group(n=10)and high roughage diet(HRD)group(n=10),and the other ten mice were used to extract hepatic sytosolic S-100.After the establishment of AIH model,mice in NaB group were given sodium butyrate 500 mg/(kg·d)by gavage and those in HRD group were fed with high-fiber stuff.After 3 weeks of treatment,all the mice were sacrificed.The pathological change was observed.The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST),IL-17A and TNF-α,the proportion of Th17 in spleen,the expression levels of TLR4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)in liver were observed in each group.The tests of normality and homogeneity of variance were used to compare the means of each group.One-way analysis of variance and multiple comparative analyses were used in the statistical analysis.Results HE staining showed that inflammatory cell infiltration and hepatocyte necrosis were significantly reduced in mice treated with NaB and HRD compared to AIH group.Serum ALT levels in control group,AIH group,NaB group and HRD group were(24.833 ± 2.229),(88.333 ± 9.543),(27.167 ± 3.189)and (29.833 ± 6.113)U/L,respectively,while AST levels in each group were(97.00 ± 14.953),(285.000 ± 35.434),(139.500 ± 38.976)and(127.167 ± 28.687)U/L,respectively.The differences among groups were all statistically significant(F=156.49 and 44.118,respectively,both P<0.01).The proportion of Th17 in spleen and the expressions of the transcription factors retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t in the spleen of the NaB group and HRD group were significantly lower than those of AIH group.The differences were statistically significantly(F=21.780 and 68.283,respectively,both P<0.05).The expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 in liver of AIH group were significantly higher than control group,but those were inhibited in NaB group and HRD group.The differences were statistically significantly(F= 26.235 and 28.293,respectively,both P<0.01).The expressions of IL-17 and TNF-α in liver and serum decreased in NaB group and HRD group.Conclusion NaB exerts an immunoregulatory effect in AIH and improves inflammatory reaction in liver.

Objective To investigate the effects of curcumin derivatives (C66) on proliferation and expressions of α-smooth muscle (α SMA) and Collagen Ⅰ in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in vitro and the relationship with cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1).Methods To determine the optimum time and concentration of C66,HSC-T6 cell line was cultured in vitro and divided into control group and groups with different doses of C66 (1 μmol/L,2 μmol/L,5 μmol/L,10 μmol/L,20 μmol/L).Cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay.Then,according to the time and concentration of C66 above,cells were divided into 5 groups including control group,TGF-β only group,TGF-β combined with CB1 antagonist group,TGF-β combined with C66 group and TGF β combined with CB1 antagonist plus C66 group.Quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to assess the expressions of α SMA,Collagen Ⅰ,CB1,JNK and phosphorylation of JNK (p-JNK).The variance homogeneity of multiple samples was compared by LSD method.The variance was compared with Dunnett T3 test.One-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the mean values among the groups.Results The inhibitory effect of C66 on HSC-T6 proliferation was dose and time dependent.The optimum time and concentration were 48h and 10 μmol/L,respectively,with the inhibition rate of 54％.Compared with control group,expressions of α-SMA,collagen Ⅰ and CB1 were significantly elevated in TGF-β group (t=6.188,3.48 and 20.64,respectively,all P＜0.05).TGF-β1 could increase the relative mRNA expressions of CB1,collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA with significant differences (t =4.705,9.492 and 38.27,respectively,all P＜ 0.05).Compared with control group,p-JNK expression was significantly elevated in TGF-β group (t=9.567,P＜0.05).Conclusions C66 could inhibit the proliferation and collagen synthesis in HSC-T6 induced by TGF-β and the effect is strengthened when combined with CB1 antagonist,which may involve JNK phosphorylation.Our study provides a better understanding on the mechanism and a new target for treatment of liver fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of adenosine A2A receptor agonist (CGS21680) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) transplantation in acute liver failure (ALF).Methods Fifty male C57BL/6 mice, 6-8 weeks old, were fed with standard diet for 1 week and randomly divided into 5 groups according to random number table: healthy control group (n=6), model group (n=11), BMMSC group (n=11), CGS21680/BMMSC group (n=11) and CGS21680 group (n=11).Except healthy control group, the other mice were injected with D-GalN and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish ALF model.Ten hours later, CGS21680/BMMSC group and CGS21680 group were injected intraperitoneally with adenosine A2A receptor agonist CGS21680 (2.1 mg/kg).In addition, the BMMSC group and CGS21680/BMMSC group were injected BMMSC (1×10.6) through tail vein.After 24 hours, pathological changes of liver tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.The change of proportion of mouse splenic Treg among CD4+T lymphocytes was detected by flow cytometry.Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression levels in liver tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot.One-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and SNK-q test was conducted for data analysis.Results Serum IL-6 levels were (23.67±2.97) pg/mL in healthy control group, (151.47±6.03) pg/mL in model control group, (72.10±3.74) pg/mL in BMMSC group, (53.35±2.50) pg/mL in CGS21680/BMMSC group and (84.85±3.25) pg/mL in CGS21680 group.The differences between healthy control group and the other 4 groups were all statistically significant (t=46.02, 25.51, 19.58 and 34.03, respectively, all P<0.01).Serum TNF-ɑ levels were (24.62±3.19) pg/mL in healthy control group, (102.25±2.10) pg/mL in model control group, (54.71±2.23) pg/mL in BMMSC group, (42.20±4.72) pg/mL in CGS21680/BMMSC group and (81.76±3.50) pg/mL in CGS21680 group.The differences between healthy control group and the other 4 groups were all statistically significant (t=46.49, 19.97, 7.72 and 29.57, respectively, all P<0.01).The differences of spleen Treg proportion in healthy control group were statistically significant compared with model control group, BMMSC group, CGS21680/BMMSC group and CGS21680 group (t=51.67, 12.22, 5.91 and 18.21, respectively, all P<0.01).The differences of TLR4 mRNA levels of liver tissue in healthy control group were statistically significant compared with model control group, BMMSC group, CGS21680/BMMSC group and CGS21680 group (t=26.31, 21.33, 13.24 and 27.14, respectively, all P<0.05).The differences of NF-κB mRNA level of liver tissue in healthy control group were statistically significant compared with model control group, BMMSC group, CGS21680/BMMSC group and CGS21680 group (t=16.56, 16.34, 7.83 and 13.11, respectively, all P<0.05).The differences of TLR4 protein level in liver tissue of healthy control group were statistically significant compared with model control group, BMMSC group, CGS21680/BMMSC group and CGS21680 group (t=35.60, 10.38, 6.05 and 18.02, respectively, all P<0.05).The differences of liver NF-κB protein level in the healthy control group were statistically significant compared with model control group, BMMSC group, CGS21680/BMMSC group and CGS21680 group (t=10.80, 7.30, 4.61 and 13.24, respectively, all P<0.05).Conclusions Adenosine A2A receptor agonist combined with BMMSC can significantly up-regulate the proportion of Treg cells in acute liver failure mice and inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB pathway activation, with both coordinated regulation, and further inhibit the liver inflammation.

Objective To investigate the effect of trichostatin A(TSA),a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on s-100-induced autoimmune hepatitis in mice.Methods A total of 26 six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group and TSA group(six in each group),and the rest 8 mice were used to extract the s-100 protein from liver tissue.Mice of model group and TSA group were injected intraperitoneally with s-100 with complete Freund's adjuvant to induce autoimmune hepatitis model.At day 21, TSA group mice were injected intraperitoneally with TSA 2 mg/(kg·d)for 7 days,and 0.9% sodium chloride solution containing 1% dimethyl sulfoxide was injected into the control and model group mice.Alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in serum were measured and liver histopathology was observed.The protein levels of nuclear factor(NF)-κB and acetylated histone H3 in liver tissue were detected by Western Blot.The hepatic mRNA levels of NF-κB,HDAC3,toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and TNF-α were measured by real-time PCR.ELISA was used to determine the TNF-α in serum.The results were analyzed with t test.Results The serum levels of ALT in control group,model group and TSA group were(122.00 ± 45.29),(459.33 ± 167.58)and(217.33 ± 49.25)U/L,respectively.The differences between model group and control group or TSA group were significant(t=4.76 and 3.41,respectively,both P<0.05).The serum levels of AST in control group,model group and TSA group were(127.83 ± 18.55),(389.67 ± 87.14)and (249.50 ± 71.72)U/L,respectively.The differences between model group and control group or TSA group were also significant(t= 7.20 and 3.04,respectively,both P< 0.05).The inflammation of the liver histopathology induced by s100 was alleviated by TSA.The relative expressions of NF-κB protein,NF-κB mRNA,TNF-α mRNA,HDAC3 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA in the liver tissue of model group mice were 2.43 ± 0.42,9.51 ± 0.36,10.53 ± 0.74,2.90 ± 0.22,and 4.50 ± 0.73,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of the control group(1.28 ± 0.49,1.28 ± 0.49,1.06 ± 0.14,1.72 ± 0.73,and 1.01 ± 0.31, respectively)(t=4.68,37.14,30.69,4.33 and 10.85,respectively,all P <0.05).In TSA group,the relative expressions of NF-κB protein,NF-κB mRNA,TNF-α mRNA,HDAC3 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA were decreased(1.30 ± 0.36,1.30 ± 0.36,2.38 ± 0.36,2.13 ± 0.32 and 2.40 ± 0.51,respectively),which were statistically lower than those in model group(t=4.58,30.62,24.12,2.81 and 5.81,respectively,all P<0.05).The serum TNF-α levels in control group,model group and TSA group were(122.37 ± 68.12), (1361.44 207.13)and(691.64 ± 162.12)ng/L,respectively.Compared with model group,the differences were statistically significant(t=13.92 and 6.24,respectively,both P<0.05).The relative expression of ac-H3 protein in the model group was 1.10 ± 0.08,which was higher than that in the control group 0.96 ± 0.17(t=2.27,P<0.05).That in TSA group was 1.30 ± 0.04,which was higher than the model group(t=-0.30, P <0.05).Conclusion Histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA alleviates autoimmune hepatitis by enhancing histone acetylation and inhibiting NF-κB and inflammatory factors.

Objective To investigate the effects of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMMSC)on the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 pathway in primary hepatic stellate cells (HSC)with direct and indirect contact coculture system.Methods Purified HSC were separately treated with LPS in the concentrations of 0,50,100 and 150 g/L for 48 h.Proliferation ratio was tested with cell counting kit-8 to determine the optimal concentration.HSC in LPS were divided into three groups,including HSC alone group,cocultured with BMMSC at 1∶1 group and cocultured with transwell group at the optimal concentration.The supernatants were collected to detect the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.Cells were further divided into seven groups, including BMMSC without LPS group,HSC without LPS group,BMMSC with LPS group,HSC with LPS group,BMMSC in transwell system group,HSC in transwell system group,all cells in transwell system group and direct contact system group.The mRNA expressions ofα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I were detected by quantitative real-time PCR,and protein expressions of TLR4,myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)were analyzed by Western blot.Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA analysis.Results The proliferation rate of HSC in 50,100 and 150μg/L LPS were (129.77±11 .26)%,(162.90±13.15 )% and (55 .12 ±11 .6)%,respectively compared with HSC without LPS group.The differences were statistically significant (t =5 .91 ,10.70 and 8.65 , respectively,all P <0.05).The concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-αin HSC alone group,directly/indirectly cocultured group were (252.02 ±30.94)ng/L and (148.00 ± 10.27 )ng/L,(88.52 ±6.61 )g/L and (72.63±5 .54)ng/L,(103.74±7.14)ng/L and (81 .79 ±6.92 )ng/L,respectively.The differences between HSC alone group and directly/indirectly cocultured group were significant (t=12.66 and 15 .82, 11 .81 and 12.34,respectively,all P < 0.05 ).The directly and indirectly cocultured groups were significantly different (t=3.83 and 2.53,respectively,both P <0.05 ).The mRNA expressions of α-SMA and collagen I in HSC with LPS were remarkably increased compared with HSC without LPS (t =14.16 and 11 .84,respectively,both P <0.05 )and reversed by cocultured with BMMSC (t =11 .98 and 4.47,respectively,P <0.05).All cells in transwell group expressed moreα-SMA and collagen I than the direct contact group (t=3.70 and 3.19,respectively,P <0.05 ).The TLR pathway associated protein expressions,TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB in HSC in transwell group were significantly down-regulated compared with HSC with LPS group.And all cells in transwell system had higher level of protein expressions compared with direct contact system (P < 0.05 ).Conclusions BMMSC are effective in inhibiting HSC activation and inflammatory cytokines excretion,which may be modulated through TLR4 pathway and cell to cell contact.

Objective To isolate and culture splenic CD11clow CD45RBhigh dendritic cells (DC) derived from endotoxin tolerance (ET) mice and investigate its biological characterization.Methods Mice weighed 20 to 25 gram were completely randomized into two groups including ET group and control group with 6 each.ET mice were modeled by intraperitoneal injection of low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for several days (pretreated with LPS 0.1 μg/mouse for 5 d).Mice in control group were given the same volume of normal saline (NS).CD11clowCD45RBhighDC were isolated from spleen by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS).The immunological phenotypes were detected by flow cytometry.The suppressive capacity of CD11clow CD45RBhigh DC was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay in allogenic mixed T cells reaction.The expressions of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 produced by CD11clow CD45RBhigh DC were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Statistical significance was analyzed through one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).The homogeneity of variances was detected by Levene test.If variances were homogeneous,the least significant difference (LSD) test was used.If not,Dunnett T3 test was applied.Results The consistence of CD1 1 clow CD45RBhigh DC in control group was 30 ％,reaching the amount of (5.30±0.12) × 105/mouse ;In ET group,the percentage of CD11clow CD45RBhighDC achieved 80 ％ and the production was (1.20 ± 0.13) × 106/mouse the difference was statistically significant (t=3.23,P＜0.01).The cellar morphology in two groups showed no obvious difference.Compared to expression levels of all cell phenotypes (histocompatibility complex-Ⅱ,CD40 and CD80) in normal mice,the cell surface expression levels of CD11clowCD45RBhigh DC in ET mice were much lower.The difference in two groups was statistically significant.Splenic CD11clowCD45RBhighDC derived from ET mice with cell concentration of 1∶ 10,1∶50and 1∶100 had more obvious prohibitory effects on allogenic T cells (t1∶0 =1.36,P1∶10 ＜0.01,t1∶50 =2.49,P1∶50 ＜0.01,1∶100 =1.88,Pm00 ＜0.01).Secretion of IL-10 produced by CD11clowCD45RBhighDC of ET mice was significantly increased (t1∶0=13.63,P1∶10 ＜0.01,t1∶50 =13.45,P1∶50 ＜0.01,t1∶00 =9.31,P1∶00 ＜0.01),but the expression of IL-12 was lower (t1∶0 =2.62,P1∶0 =0.02,1∶∶50 =2.74,P1∶0=0.02,t1∶100 =2.99,P1∶100 =0.01).Conclusion Splenic CD11clow CD45RBhigh DC from ET mice have weaker ability of antigen presenting and allogeneic lymphocytes proliferation stimulating than those from normal mice.

Objective To study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in hepatic tissue of acute liver failure(ALF)rats after transplantation of microencapsulated hepatocytes.Methods The ALF model of rats was induced by D-galactosamine(D-Gal)1400 mg/kg.Then the ALF rats were divided into three groups 18 h after injection of D-Gal:ALF model group,free hepatocyte transplantation group,and microencapsulated hepatocyte transplantation group,50 rats in each group,respectively.Each group was divided into 7 subgroups,and the rats were sacrificed at 24,36,48,72,120,168 and 240 h respectively after injection of D-Gal.The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and VEGF in liver tissue of ALF rats was detected by immunohistochemistry method.VEGF mRNA in liver tissue was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Comparison among groups was done by one way ANOVA.Results Compared with ALF model group,the expression of PCNA protein and in free hepatocyet transplantation group in microencapsulated hepatocyte transplantation group began to increase obviously at 36 h after injection of D-Gal(F=26.26,P<0.05).Compare to that of ALF model and free hepatocyte transplantation group,the expression of VEGF protein in microencapsulated hepatocyte transplantation group increased significantly at 36 h after injection of D-Gal(F=25.44,P<0.05),which decreased slower and was still higher at 240 h after injection of D-Gal(F=220.25,P<0.05).Compared with ALF model group,the expression of VEGF mRNA in free hepatocyte transplantation group increased obviously at 24 h(48.0±1.9 vs 56.7±9.1;F=3.54,P<0.05).And that in microencapsulated hepatocyte transplantation group was higher than free hepatocyte transplantation group at 48 h(100.7±1.9 vs 94.5±1.4;F=47.82,P<0.05),which was still significantly higher than free hepatocyte transplantation group at 240 h after injection of D-Gal(F=21.70,P<0.05). Conclusion Transplantation of microencapsulated hepatocytes could upregulate the expression of VEGF in liver tissues and promote the regeneration of hepatocytes in ALF rats.

Objective To construct and identify an eukaryotic expression plasmid containing rat hepatocyte growth factor(rHGF)gene and rat augmenter of liver regeneration(rALR)gene,so that to provide experimental basis for developing new treatments of hepatic fibrosis.Methods The gene fragments of rHGF and rALR were amplified from recombinant prokaryotic plasmid pUC18-rHGF and pUC18-rALR by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),respectively,then were spliced by overlap extension PCR with a linker,and the fusion gene rHGF-linker-rALR was constructed.The fusion gene was directionally inserted into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1 between restriction sites of Kpn Ⅰ and Xba Ⅰ to construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-rHGF-linker-rALR,and the new constructed recombinant plasmid was identified by double restriction digestion and DNA sequencing.Results DNA fragments of 2200 bp and 400 bp were observed after the electrophoresis of products amplified from recombinant prokaryotic plasmid pUC18-rHGF and pUC18-rALR,respectively,which was consistent with the theoretical value.The electrophoresis of fusion gene rHGF-linker-rALR obtained by overlap extension PCR technique showed only a 2 600 bp DNA fragment,which was in accordance with the expected value.Electrophoresis of products of pcDNA3.1-rHGF-linker-rALR digested with Kpn Ⅰ and Xba Ⅰ showed two DNA fragments with 2600 bp and 5400 bp,which were both consistent with the expected value.The sequences were confirmed correctly by DNA sequencing.Conclusion The recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1-rHGF-linker-rALR is successfully constructed,which provides experimental basis for developing gene therapy of hepatic fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of rapamycin(RPM) on the gene expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 by inhibiting Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway in rats with acute liver failure (ALF).Methods The ALF model of rats was induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) 800 mg/kg and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 8 μg.The blood and liver tissue samples were collected at 2,6,12,24 and 48 h after D-GalN/LPS injection.SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group (n=6),ALF group (n=30) and RPM treatment group (n=30).The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at each time points were tested.The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the mRNA expressions of TLR-4 in liver tissue were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The data analysis was performed using t test.Results The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased markedly 2 h after GalN/LPS iniection and peaked at 6 h.Treatment with RPM could significantly inhibit the levels of TNF-α and IL-6.The TLR-4 mRNA expression levels in liver tissues at 6,12,24,48 h in ALF group were 0.745±0.135,1.092±0.175,1.115±0.152 and 0.812±0.13,respectively;those in RPM group were 0.545±0.118,0.798±0.124,0.857±0.109 and 0.595±0.152,respectively.The differences between two groups at each time points were all significant (t=2.726,3.349,3.382 and 2.567,respectively,all P＜0.05).In addition,TLR-4 mRNA expression was positively correlated with ALT and AST levels(r=0.722 and 0.712,respectively,both P＜0.01).Conclusions Inhibition of JAK/STAT pathway can markedly down regulate TLR-4 gene expression in liver tissue of rats with ALF,which indicates that JAK/STAT pathway may be involved in the regulation of TLR-4 mRNA expression during ALF.