Effect of Zhenggan Huayu recipe on the expressions of MMPs and TIMPs in the hepatic tissues of rats with hepatic fibrosis

Objective:To observe the effect of Zhenggan Huangu recipe on the expressions of MMPs and TIMPs in the hepatic tissues of rats with hepatic fibrosis and probe its mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis.Methods:A complex of carbonate chloride,high fat and low protein was used to induce animal models of hepatic fibrosis.All the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,normal group,model group and treatment group.Rats in the treatment group were given Zhenggan Huayu recipe through the gastric syringe for 6Ws.Rats in the model group were given normal saline of the same volume.α-SMA、TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were tested through western blotting.The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected through zymography.Results:The expressions of α-SMA were significantly increased in the model group while decreased in the treatment group.The same results coule also be seen with regard to the activities of MMP-2 and 9.Conclusion:Zhenggan Huayu recipe can downgrade the expressions of α-SMA、TIMP-1 and 2 and decrease the activities of MMP-2 and 9,accelerate the retrogradation of ECM,inhibit the formation of hepatic fibrosis,and in a way reverse hepatic fibrosis.