Abstract:

Objective   To explore the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker losartan on rats hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4). Methods   Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride(40%). Meanwhile, losartan was given to the fibrosis+losartan intervention group rats(daily gavage), and sterile saline was given to the control rats for 6 weeks. Blood and liver tissue samples were taken for detecting aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).The pathological changes and fibrosis extent of liver tissues were observed by light microscope and polarizing microscope respectively. Collagen type I and collagen type Ⅲ were detected by immunohistochemistry.Liver AngⅡ and AT1R mRNA expressions were determined by RT-PCR. Results   Compared with those of the model group, liver inflammation and hepatic fibrosis were significantly reduced in the fibrosis+losartan intervention group;collagen type I and collagen type Ⅲ content were lowered in the fibrosis+losartan intervention group(P<0.05); the liver function was improved significantly.Meanwhile,the levels of AngⅡand AT1R mRNA  in liver tissues also decreased(P<0.05). Conclusion   Losartan may has a therapeutic effect on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis rats by reducing the expressions of liver AngⅡand AT1R.

Key words: Losartan; Hepatic fibrosis; Angiotensin Ⅱ; Rats, Wistar