Search JIM Advanced Search

Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ›› 2012, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (10): 1120-1126.doi: 10.3736/jcim20121008

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparative study on the effects of different therapeutic methods in preventing and treating nonalcoholic fatty liver in rats

Tao Liu1,2, Li-li Yang1,  Li Zhang1, Hai-yan Song1, Dong-fei Li3, Guang Ji1()   

  1. 1. Institute of Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
    2. Department of Internal Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
    3. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
  • Received:2012-05-15 Accepted:2012-06-12 Online:2012-10-20 Published:2018-10-15
  • Contact: Guang Ji E-mail:jiliver@vip.sina.com

Objective: To explore the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by comparing the therapeutic efficacy of methods for fortifying the spleen and replenishing qi, warming yang and fortifying the spleen and warming yang to move water. .

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal, model, Sijunzi Tang (SJZ), Lizhong Tang (LZ), Linggui Zhugan Tang (LGZG) and Shenzhuo Tang (SZ) groups. Rats in the normal group were fed with ordinary diet, while the rats in the other groups were fed with high fat diet including 88% ordinary food, 10% lard oil and 2% cholesterol. After four weeks of treatment, the weight of liver and epididymal fat was recorded respectively for calculating the indexes of liver (liver weight/body weight) and epididymal fat (weight of epididymal fat pads/body weight); the pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and liver TAG concentration were analyzed by biochemical test.

Results: Body weight, liver and epididymal fat indexes and liver TAG level of rats all significantly increased in the model group as compared with the normal group (P<0.05). Hepatic fatty infiltration, TAG concentration and the levels of serum TAG and ALT were significantly decreased in the LGZG and SZ groups when compared to those in the model group (P<0.05). In addition, epididymal fat index and serum TC level also significantly decreased in the LGZG group as compared with the model group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant change in liver TAG concentration in LZ and model groups.

Conclusion: Method of warming yang or moving water can promote the lipid metabolism. It may be an effective strategy in preventing and treating NAFL by treating with warming yang and moving water together.

Key words: fatty liver, therapeutic methods (TCM), rats

Table 1

Prescription composition"

Formula Radix
Codonopsis
Rhizoma Atractylodis
Macrocephalae
Poria Radix
Glycyrrhizae
Ramulus
Cinnamomi
Rhizoma
Zingiberis
Sijunzi Tang 15 g 9 g 9 g 6 g / /
Lizhong Tang 15 g 9 g / 9 g / 9 g
Linggui Zhugan Tang / 6 g 12 g 6 g 9 g /
Shenzhuo Tang / 6 g 12 g 6 g / 12 g

Figure 1

Pathological changes in liver tissue of rats with NAFL observed by light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin staining, ×200) A: Normal group; B: Model group; C: Sijunzi Tang group; D: Lizhong Tang group; E: Linggui Zhugan Tang group; F: Shenzhuo Tang group. NAFL: nonalcoholic simple fatty liver."

Table 2

Effects of different therapeutic methods on body weight, liver index, EFPW/BW and TAG content in liver tissues of rats with NAFL ($\overline{x}$±s)"

Group n Body weight (g) Liver index (%) EFPW/BW (%) TAG (mg/g liver tissue)
Normal 8 309.00±20.87 3.52±0.11 0.09±0.01 14.73±1.93
Model 8 326.75±19.08* 4.57±0.31* 0.11±0.01* 101.72±9.71*
Sijunzi Tang 8 314.00±10.45 4.52±0.20 0.10±0.01 90.03±7.80
Lizhong Tang 8 319.75±11.06 4.59±0.21 0.11±0.01 94.83±8.13
Linggui Zhugan Tang 8 320.38±19.46 4.35±0.13 0.09±0.01 80.83±12.63
Shenzhuo Tang 8 312.38±11.94 4.27±0.13 0.11±0.01 82.66±12.26

Table 3

Effects of different therapeutic methods on liver function in rats with NAFL ($\overline{x}$±s, U/L)"

Group n ALT AST
Normal 8 51.1±3.9 137.7±21.0
Model 8 76.2±6.3* 160.5±10.5
Sijunzi Tang 8 75.8±4.4 181.6±37.2
Lizhong Tang 8 70.0±8.0 185.3±15.0
Linggui Zhugan Tang 8 64.9±6.7 149.3±7.6
Shenzhuo Tang 8 69.9±3.1 140.9±9.5

Table 4

Effects of different therapeutic methods on blood lipids in rats with NAFL ($\overline{x}$±s, mmol/L)"

Group n TAG TC VLDL HDL
Normal 8 1.13±0.32 1.50±0.13 0.87±0.09 0.55±0.04
Model 8 1.13±0.38 2.32±0.31* 1.69±0.30* 0.44±0.02*
Sijunzi Tang 8 1.36±0.54 2.32±0.26 1.66±0.23 0.45±0.03
Lizhong Tang 8 0.95±0.31 2.29±0.18 1.67±0.15 0.43±0.03
Linggui Zhugan Tang 8 0.52±0.16 2.03±0.18 1.46±0.18 0.42±0.04
Shenzhuo Tang 8 0.59±0.14 2.10±0.22 1.55±0.18 0.40±0.03
[1] Chinese National Workshop on Fatty Liver and Alcoholic Liver Disease for the Chinese Liver Disease Association. Guidelines for management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an updated and revised edition[J]. Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi, 2010,18(3):163-166
中华医学会肝脏病学分会脂肪肝和酒精性肝病学组. 非酒精性脂肪性肝病诊疗指南[J]. 中华肝脏病杂志, 2010,18(3):163-166
[2] Farrell GC, Larter CZ . Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: from steatosis to cirrhosis[J]. Hepatology, 2006,43(2 Suppl 1):S99-S112
doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1527-3350
[3] De Alwis NM, Day CP . Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: the mist gradually clears[J]. J Hepatol, 2008,48(Suppl 1):S104-S112
doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2008.01.009 pmid: 18304679
[4] Angulo P . GI epidemiology: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease[J]. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2007, 25883-889
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03246.x pmid: 17402991
[5] Fan JG, Farrell GC . Epidemiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in China[J]. J Hepatol, 2009, 50204-210
doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2008.10.010 pmid: 19014878
[6] Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Caldwell SH . Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: summary of an AASLD Single Topic Conference[J]. Hepatology, 2003,37(5):1202-1219
doi: 10.1053/jhep.2003.50193 pmid: 12717402
[7] Fon Tacer K, Rozman D . Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: focus on lipoprotein and lipid deregulation[J]. J Lipids, 2011,2011783976
doi: 10.1155/2011/783976 pmid: 21773052
[8] Fan JG, Saibara T, Chitturi S, Kim BI, Sung JJ, Chutaputti A ; Asia-Pacific Working Party for NAFLD. What are the risk factors and settings of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Asia-Pacific?[J] Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007; 22(6):794-800.
doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2007.04952.x pmid: 17498218
[9] Fan JG . Paying attention to the management of chronic viral hepatitis patients with fatty liver[J]. Zhonghua Gan Zang Bing Za Zhi, 2009,17(11):801-803
doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2009.11.001
范建高 . 重视慢性病毒性肝炎合并脂肪肝的诊断与治疗[J]. 中华肝脏病杂志, 2009,17(11):801-803
doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2009.11.001
[10] Donthamsetty S, Bhave VS, Mitra MS, Latendresse JR, Mehendale HM . Nonalcoholic fatty liver sensitizes rats to carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity[J]. Hepatology, 2007,45(2):391-403
doi: 10.1002/hep.21530 pmid: 17256749
[11] Mao ZM, Song HY, Yang LL, Liu T, Li DF, Zheng PY, Liu P, Ji G . Effects of the mixture of Swertia pseudochinensis Hara and Silybum marianum Gaertn extracts on CCl4-induced liver injury in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease[J]. J Chin Integr Med, 2012,10(2):193-199
毛志敏, 宋海燕, 杨丽丽, 柳涛, 励冬斐, 郑培永, 刘平, 季光 . 当药和水飞蓟提取混合物对毒性物质诱导的脂肪肝大鼠肝损伤的防治作用[J]. 中西医结合学报, 2012,10(2):193-199
[12] Deng ZJ. Traditional Chinese formula[M]. Beijing: Chinese Press of traditional Chinese medicine,2003,135, 151, 309-310
邓中甲 . 方剂学[M]. 北京: 中国中医药出版社,2003,135, 151, 309-310
[13] Li F. Senior series of traditional Chinese medicine — Traditional Chinese formula[M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2001,776
李飞 . 中医药学高级丛书——方剂学[M]. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2001,776
[14] Chen CX. Pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine[M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 2006,191
陈长勋 . 中药药理学[M]. 上海: 上海科学技术出版社, 2006,191
[15] Cheng HY . Literature research on traditional Chinese medicine names for fatty liver[J]. Xinjiang Zhong Yi Yao, 2008,26(6):12-14
程华焱 . 脂肪肝中医病名的文献研究[J]. 新疆中医药, 2008,26(6):12-14
[16] Friedman LS, Keefe EB. Handbook of liver disease. 2nd ed.Translated by Niu JQ, Zhang QQ, Ding YH[M]. Tianjin: Tianjin Science and Technology Translation and Publishing Corp, 2007,97
Friedman LS, Keefe EB. 牛俊奇, 张清泉, 丁艳华, 译.肝病手册[M]. 天津: 天津科技翻译出版公司, 2007,97
[17] Fang YZ. Seven speeches of research on differentiation of symptoms and signs[M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 1979,96
方药中 . 辨证论治研究七讲[M]. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 1979,96
[18] You ZJ. The essence of synopsis of the golden chamber[M]. Beijing: Chinese Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1992,75
尤在泾 . 金匾要略心典[M]. 北京: 中国中医药出版社, 1992,75
[19] Li DY. Treatise on the spleen and stomach[M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2005,10
李东垣 . 脾胃论[M]. 北京: 人民卫生出版社, 2005,10
[20] Liu T, Tang ZP, Ji G . Treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease based on traditional Chinese medicine therapies for warming yang to activate qi[J]. J Chin Integr Med, 2011,9(2):135-136
柳涛, 唐志鹏, 季光 . 温阳化气论治非酒精性脂肪性肝病[J]. 中西医结合学报, 2011,9(2):135-136
[21] Xie M . The logic proposition of correlation between syndrome and prescription and its significance[J]. Beijing Zhong Yi Yao Da Xue Xue Bao, 2003,26(2):11-12
谢鸣 . “方证相关”逻辑命题及其意义[J]. 北京中医药大学学报, 2003,26(2):11-12
[22] Xu ZJ, Fan JG, Wang GL, Ding XD, Tian LY, Zheng XY . Rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with fibrosis by a fat-rich diet[J]. Shi Jie Hua Ren Xiao Hua Za Zhi, 2002,10(4):392-396
徐正婕, 范建高, 王国良, 丁晓东, 田丽艳, 郑晓英 . 高脂饮食致大鼠非酒精性脂肪性肝炎肝纤维化模型[J]. 世界华人消化杂志, 2002,10(4):392-396
[1] Meng-ya Shan, Ying Dai, Xiao-dan Ren, Jing Zheng, Ke-bin Zhang, Bin Chen, Jun Yan, Zi-hui Xu. Berberine mitigates nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis by downregulating SIRT1-FoxO1-SREBP2 pathway for cholesterol synthesis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(6): 545-554.
[2] Mao-xing Pan, Chui-yang Zheng, Yuan-jun Deng, Kai-rui Tang, Huan Nie, Ji-qian Xie, Dong-dong Liu, Gui-fang Tu, Qin-he Yang, Yu-pei Zhang. Hepatic protective effects of Shenling Baizhu powder, a herbal compound, against inflammatory damage via TLR4/NLRP3 signalling pathway in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease . Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 428-438.
[3] Bing-rong Li, Shi-yun Shao, Long Yuan, Ru Jia, Jian Sun, Qing Ji, Hua Sui, Li-hong Zhou, Yi Zhang, Hui Liu, Qi Li, Yan Wang, Bi-meng Zhang. Effects of mild moxibustion on intestinal microbiome and NLRP3 inflammasome in rats with 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(2): 144-157.
[4] Sitthichai Iamsaard, Supatcharee Arun, Jaturon Burawat, Supataechasit Yannasithinon, Saranya Tongpan, Sudtida Bunsueb, Natthapol Lapyuneyong, Pannawat Choowong-in, Nareelak Tangsrisakda, Chadaporn Chaimontri, Wannisa Sukhorum. Evaluation of antioxidant capacity and reproductive toxicity of aqueous extract of Thai Mucuna pruriens seeds. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2020, 18(3): 265-273.
[5] Morufu Eyitayo Balogun, Elizabeth Enohnyaket Besong, Jacinta Nkechi Obimma, Ogochukwu Sophia Mbamalu, Fankou Serges Athanase Djobissie. Protective roles of Vigna subterranea (Bambara nut) in rats with aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(5): 342-349.
[6] Lucky Legbosi Nwidu, Raphael Ellis Teme. Hot aqueous leaf extract of Lasianthera africana (Icacinaceae) attenuates rifampicin-isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(4): 263-272.
[7] Kylie Connolly, Douglas Jackson, Candice Pullen, Andrew Fenning. Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonism by Crassostrea gigas oyster extract inhibits noradrenaline-induced vascular contraction in Wistar rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(3): 194-200.
[8] Udhaya Lavinya Baskaran, Sherry Joseph Martin, Rasool Mahaboobkhan, Sabina Evan Prince. Protective role of Triphala, an Indian traditional herbal formulation, against the nephrotoxic effects of bromobenzene in Wistar albino rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(2): 115-121.
[9] Hussein O. B. Oloyede, Matthew C. Adaja, Taofeek O. Ajiboye, Musa O. Salawu. Anti-ulcerogenic activity of aqueous extract of Carica papaya seed on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in male albino rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(2): 105-114.
[10] Anirudha A. Lande, Shirishkumar D. Ambavade, Uma S. Swami, Prafulla P. Adkara Prashant D. Ambavade, Arun B. Waghamare. Saponins isolated from roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum reduce acute and chronic inflammation and histone deacetylase. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(1): 25-33.
[11] Elizabeth Abidemi Balogun, Sylvia Orume Malomo, Joseph Oluwatope Adebayo, Ahmed Adebayo Ishola, Ayodele Olufemi Soladoye, Lawrence Aderemi Olatunji, Olatunji Matthew Kolawole, Stephen Olubunmi Oguntoye, Abiola Samuel Babatunde, Oluwole Busayo Akinola . In vivo antimalarial activity and toxicological effects of methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera (Dwarf red variety) husk fibre. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(6): 504-511.
[12] Urmila Aswar, Mayuri Gurav, Ganesh More, Khaled Rashed, Manoj Aswar. Effect of aqueous extract of Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. on postmenopausal syndrome in ovariectomized rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(5): 439-446.
[13] Xin-fang Zhang, Ji Zhu, Wen-ye Geng, Shu-jun Zhao, Chuan-wei Jiang, Sheng-rong Cai, Miao Cheng, Chuan-yun Zhou, Zi-bing Liu. Electroacupuncture at Feishu (BL13) and Zusanli (ST36) down-regulates the expression of orexins and their receptors in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(5): 417-424.
[14] Benjamin Perry, Junzeng Zhang, Tarek Saleh, Yanwen Wang. Liuwei Dihuang, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, suppresses chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in obese rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(5): 447-454.
[15] Upendarrao Golla, Praveen Kumar Gajam, Solomon Sunder Bhimathati. Evaluation of diuretic and laxative activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf in rats. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(4): 372-378.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Wei-xiong Liang. Problems-solving strategies in clinical treatment guideline for traditional Chinese medicine and integrative medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 1-4
[2] Zhao-guo Li. Discussion on English translation of commonly used sentences in traditional Chinese medicine: part one. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 107-110
[3] Jun Hu, Jian-ping Liu. Non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headache. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 31
[4] Xue-mei Liu, Qi-fu Huang, Yun-ling Zhang, Jin-li Lou, Hong-sheng Liu, Hong Zheng. Effects of Tribulus terrestris L. saponion on apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation in rats. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 45-50
[5] . Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: Writing and editing for biomedical publication (Chinese version, part two). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1001-1005
[6] Daniel Weber, Janelle M Wheat, Geoffrey M Currie. Inflammation and cancer: Tumor initiation, progression and metastasis,and Chinese botanical medicines. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1006-1013
[7] Hong Liu , Guo-liang Zhang, Li Shen , Zhen Zeng, Bao-luo Zhou, Cheng-hai Liu, Guang Nie . Application and evaluation of a pseudotyped virus assay for screening herbs for anti-H5Nl avian influenza virus. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1036-1040
[8] Zhao-guo Li . A discussion of English translation of 1995 and 1997 Chinese National Standards of Traditional Chinese Medical Terminologies for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1090-1096
[9] Rui Jin, Bing Zhang. A complexity analysis of Chinese herbal property theory: the multiple formations of herbal property (Part 1). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1198-1205
[10] Hui-min Liu, Xian-bo Wang, Yu-juan Chang, Li-li Gu. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of integrative medicine therapy for treatment of chronic severe hepatitis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1211-1228