RESUMEN
Objective To observe the dynamic characteristics of protein kinase ,casein kinase II α (CK2α) ,expression during hepatic fibrogenesis in rats ;and the effects of a matrine derivative ,13-methylamino-18-thione-matrine (M ASM ) ,on CK2αexpression when it is used for anti-fibrotic treatment .Methods Hepatic fibrosis model was established in SD rats by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) injection or by bile duct ligation (BDL) .The established fibrotic rats were given 50 mg/kg MASM or saline as a control by gavage for three weeks .The level of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by histopathology examina-tion using hematoxylin-eosin staining ,and using the sirius red and Masson's trichrome staining for collagen determination in fi-brosis .The expressions of CK2αandα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in hepatic tissues were detected by immunohistochemis-ry .Results CK2α is mainly expressed in the stellate cells of fibrotic livers induced by DM N or BDL comparing the control group .Along with the development of hepatic fibrosis as evidenced by α-SMA expression ,increased CK2α-positive cells in liver were detected while injecting DMN in the rats for one to four weeks .MASM treatment significantly inhibited the hepatic fibro-sis and suppressed the expression of CK2αcomparing the model group .Conclusion The expression level of CK2α,and hepatic fibrosis formation are positively correlated .The matrine derivative ,MASM ,can significantly inhibit hepatic fibrosis and sup-press the CK2αexpression .These results suggest CK2αmay be a potential target for hepatic fibrosis therapy .