RESUMO
Objective To evaluate efficacy and mechanism of Anluohuaxian pilule combined with interferon-γ in the treatment of schistosomal liver fibrosis. To preliminarily study on the relationship of pigment deposition in liver and schistosomal liver fibrosis. Methods Thirty Kunming mice were divided into the normal control group, the infection control group and the combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ treated group. Schistosomal liver fibrosis model was established by infection with 40 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. The treated group was treated by combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ for 8 weeks. The changes of pigment deposition and hepatic egg granuloma in Schistosoma japonicum infected mice were observed. Expressions of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were detected by immunohistochemistry. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was detected by fluorescent polymerase chain reaetion(PCR). Histopathology and computer image analysis were applied to evaluate the change in the liver tissues. Results The amount of pigment deposition in liver was related to the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA (correlation coefficient = 0. 8). Compared to the infection control group, combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ can lessen hepatic fibrosis(P<0.05). The combination therapy can also make pigment deposition less and hepatic granuloma smaller than the infection control group(P<0. 05). Conclusions Pigment deposition in liver is related to the expression of TGF-β 1. Combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ can lessen hepatic fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum. It's one mechanism to of the combination therapy down-regulate the expression of collagen Ⅰ, Ⅲ and TGF-β 1.