Fibroblast activation induced by common bile duct ligation in rats with obstructive jaundice

Objective To investigate the effect of common bile duct ligation on fibroblast activation in rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods Twenty-four male specific pathogen free (SPF) rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group and experimental group, with 12 rats in each group. All rats underwent common bile duct ligation. Rats The common bile duct in the experimental group was ligated with 3-0 silk thread and cut off. The rats in the two groups were sampled 2 and 7 days after operation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 protein. The real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 gene. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1 protein. Results In sham-operated group, the structure of hepatic lobules was intact, and the hepatic sinuses were normal without congestion. In experimental group, the structure of hepatic lobules was disordered and the hepatic cords were dissociated. The level of serum TGF-β1 in the experimental group at 2nd day [(689.42±58.13) ng/L] and 7th day [(867.53±45.62) ng/L] was significantly higher than that in the sham-operated group [(519.92±32.41) ng/L and (536.50±41.29) ng/L, t=8.822 and 18.635, P<0.05]. The expression of TGF-β1 protein in liver tissues of experimental group at 2nd day [(6.53±1.29)%] and 7th day [(8.97±1.85)%] was significantly higher than that of sham-operated group [(1.17±0.24)% and (1.54±0.39)%, t=8.822 and 18.635, P<0.05]. The expression of TGF-β1 in liver tissues of experimental group at 2nd day [(0.89±0.14)%] and 7th day [(0.95±0.19)%] was significantly higher than that of sham-operated group [(0.52±1.32)% and (0.31±1.76)%, t=14.693 and 18.316, P<0.05]. The gray value of TGF-β1 protein expression in liver tissue of experimental group at 2nd day after operation (0.62±0.13) and 7th day after operation (0.78±0.10) was significantly higher than that of sham-operated group (0.21±0.05 and 0.23±0.06, t=10.197 and 16.337, P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of TGF-β1 in rats with obstructive jaundice induced by common bile duct ligation is significantly up-regulated, and the proliferation of biliary duct epithelial cells induces fibroblast activation. Key words: Common bile duct ligation; Obstructive jaundice; Fibroblast activation