Forty five male albino rats were
separated into nine groups (control,
2 model, and 6 treatment groups).
Rats in two model groups were given
intraperitoneal injection of 50% carbon
tetrachloride (2ml/Kg twice
weekly
for either 4 or 8 weeks). Rats
in
treatment groups were given ccl4
for
8 weeks and also given losartan
(10mg/kg/day
twice weekly), propolis
(100mg/kg/day
twice weekly) or combined
losartan and propolis via gastrogavage.
The treatment started either
simultaneously or after 4weeks
from
beginning of ccl4 injection. Control
group rats were given only olive
oil
for the same period. At the assigned
time, all rats were sacrificed.
Blood
samples were taken for determination
of serum indicators (SGOT, SGPT, ALP) and the livers were dissected
out and prepared for histopathological
study. There was a significant
(P≥
0.05) reduction in
fibrosis
area and score and alphaSMA
positivity in all sections of the
livers
of animals that received treatment
simultaneously with CCl4 for
8ws
in comparison to ccl4 injection
alone
for 8ws. There was also a significant
reduction in the serum levels
of
SGPT, SGOT and ALP, however,
these
levels were still significantly
(P≥
0.05) higher than control values.
When
the treatment started after fibrosis
has begun (after 4ws of ccl4
injection)
the fibrosis process slowed
or
even stopped with down regulation
of active HSCs as evident by reduction
of alpha-SMA positive stain.
However,
the serum levels of en- zymes were reduced to a lesser
degree. In all periods of treatment,
losartan was more effective in inhibition
of HSCs and of fibrosis while
propolis
was more effective in decreasing
enzyme levels that may indicate
more protection of hepatocytes.
So, combined treatment gave
better
reduction of both fibrosis and
enzyme
levels. Reversal of already
present
fibrosis was not evident in
this
study.