[Effect of pentoxifylline on the expression of hepatic TGF-beta 1, type I and type III collagen in mice with liver fibrosis due to Schistosoma japonicum infection].

Objective: To study the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on the content of hepatic TGF-beta 1, type I and type III collagen in schistosome-infected mice with liver fibrosis.

Methods: Forty mice with schistosomiasis were divided into four groups: one group as control without any treatment, other three were treated with praziquantel 500 mg/(kg.d) for 2 d, high dose PTX 360 mg/(kg.d) for 8 wk, and low dose PTX 180 mg/(kg.d) for 8 wk respectively. Immunohistochemical technique and multimedia color pathographic analysis system were applied to observe the content of hepatic TGF-beta 1, type I and type III collagen in mice infected with S. japonicum before and after treatment.

Results: The effect of PTX on the content of hepatic TGF-beta 1, type I and type III collagen in mice was related to the dosage of PTX. High dose PTX treatment significantly reduced the content of TGF-beta 1, type I and type III collagen compared to the control (P < 0.01), whereas no difference was found between the group of low dose PTX treatment and control (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: High dose PTX treatment could reduce the content of hepatic TGF-beta 1, type I and type III collagen significantly in schistosome-infected mice with liver fibrosis.