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Effects of Ganfukang (肝复康) on expression of connective tissue growth factor and focal adhesion kinase/protein kinase B signal pathway in hepatic fibrosis rats

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of Ganfukang (肝复康, GFK) on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (PKB or Akt) signal pathway in a hepatic fibrosis rat model and to explore the underlying therapeutic molecular mechanisms of GFK.

Methods

Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: the control group, the model group (repeated subcutaneous injection of CCl4), and the three GFK treatment groups (31.25, 312.5, and 3125 mg/kg, intragastric administration). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression of CTGF, integrin α5, integrin β1, FAK/Akt signal pathway, cyclinD1, and collagen in the different-treated rats.

Results

GFK attenuated the up-regulation of CTGF, integrin α5, and integrin β1 in hepatic fibrosis rats and suppressed both the phosphorylation of FAK and the phosphorylation of Akt simultaneously (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of cyclinD1, collagen I, and collagen III was decreased by GFK significantly (P<0.01).

Conclusions

CTGF and FAK/Akt signal pathway were activated in the CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis rats, which contribute to increased expression of cyclinD1 and collagen genes. The mechanisms of the anti-fibrosis activity of GFK may be due to its effects against CTGF and FAk/Akt signal pathway.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 116044, China

    Kun Zhang  (张 坤), Miao-na Jiang  (姜妙娜), Cai-hua Zhang  (张彩华), Cong Li  (李 骢) & Yu-jie Jia  (贾玉杰)

  2. Department of Pathophysiology, Baotou Medical College, Baotou, Inner Mongolia, 014040, China

    Kun Zhang  (张 坤)

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  1. Kun Zhang  (张 坤)
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  2. Miao-na Jiang  (姜妙娜)
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  3. Cai-hua Zhang  (张彩华)
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  4. Cong Li  (李 骢)
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  5. Yu-jie Jia  (贾玉杰)
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Correspondence to Yu-jie Jia  (贾玉杰).

Additional information

Supported by Natural Science Fund of Liaoning Province, China (No. 201102055)

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Zhang, K., Jiang, Mn., Zhang, Ch. et al. Effects of Ganfukang (肝复康) on expression of connective tissue growth factor and focal adhesion kinase/protein kinase B signal pathway in hepatic fibrosis rats. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 20, 438–444 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-013-1597-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-013-1597-1

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