The therapeutic effect of Smad7 and urokinase-type plasminogen activator gene co-expression on rat liver fibrosis / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of Smad7 and urokinase-type plas- minogen activator(uPA)co expression on CCl_4-induced rat liver fibrosis.Methods Forty SD rats were subcutaneously injectied of 40% CCl_4 every three days for 8 weeks.The rats were then divided into model group,AdSmad7/uPA group(injected with AdSmad7/uPA via tail vein),AdSmad7 group(injec- ted with AdSmad7 via tail vein)or AdGFP group(injected with AdGFP via tail vein).Ten healthy rats were served as control.The serum levels of procollagenⅢ(PCⅢ)and laminin(LN)were determined by radioimmunoassay,and the hydroxyproline level in liver tissues were examined by alkaline hydrolysis. The expressions of Smad7 and uPA in tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry and fibrosis area was stained with Sirius red.Results The expressions of Smad7 and uPA protein were significantly higher in AdSmad7/uPA group than that in AdGFP group after 3 days.Serum levels of ALT,AST,PCⅢand LN were significantly decreased in AdSmad7/uPA group compared to Smad7 and AdGFP groups (all P value