Effect of oxymatrine on the hepatic expressions of cytokines in rats with hepatic fibrosis

Objective To study the changes of hepatic expressions of IL-2,IL-10,IFN-γ after the treatment of oxymatrine on hepatic fibrosis in rats.Methods Hepatic fibrosis was developed in Wistar rats within 8 weeks using subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride(twice a week , 3ml·k~ -1 ·g~ -1 )and feeding with alcohol (containing 10% ethanol), then the rats with hepatic fibrosis was randomly divided into two groups treated with peritoneal injection of oxymatrine(100mg·k~ -1 ·g~ -1 , T group ) and normal saline(R group) respectively for consecutive 9 weeks. The levels of IL-2,IL-10,IFN-γ in liver tissues were measured using immunohistochemistry assays and image analysis system at the end point.Results The level of IL-10 in rats with hepatic fibrosis were markedly higher than that in normal rats, whereas the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 were markedly decreased after the therapy of oxymatrine, with the severity of hepatic fibrosis reduced. The abnormity of all the above cytokines were markedly improved too.Conclusion The therapeutic effects of oxymatrine on hepatic fibrosis may be correlated to its immunological regulation.