Hepatoprotective effects of loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) lyophilized powder on dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

This study investigates the hepatoprotective effects and the potential therapeutic mechanisms of loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) lyophilized powder (MLP) on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) induced liver fibrosis in rats. After treatment with MLP (50, 100, 200 mg/kg), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (Alb), total protein (TP) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) levels were detected, to assess the destruction of hepatocytes and the extent of liver fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), hyaluronic acid (HA), Laminin (LN), procollagen type-III (PC-III), collagen type-IV (C-IV), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) contents in serum were all tested using ELISA kits.