Author Affiliations: Digestive Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China (Li YM, Zhang XG, Zhou HL, Chen SH, Zhang Y and Yu CH) Corresponding Author: You-Ming Li, MD, Digestive Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China (Tel: 86-571-87236603; Fax: 86-571-87236611; Email: liyouming@dna.net.cn)
BACKGROUND: As an anti-oxidation agent, tea polyphenols may have the effect of anti-fibrosis. This study was designed to observe the effect of tea polyphenols on hepatic fibrosis in rats with alcoholic liver disease and to explore the related mechanisms.
METHODS: Sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into normal control group, single alcohol group, and three alcohol groups given different doses of tea polyphenols. Alcohol or isovolumic normal saline and corresponding doses of tea polyphenols were given daily to the rats separately. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the 24th week. Masson staining was performed to observe liver fibrosis, serum endotoxin, and oxidant and anti-oxidant activity.
RESULTS: Hepatic fibrosis was less severe in the rats of the alcohol groups given tea polyphenols than in the single alcohol group. Tea polyphenols increased the serum anti-oxidant capacity and decreased the endotoxin level.
CONCLUSION: Tea polyphenols show anti-fibrosis effect in rats with alcoholic liver disease, and the mechanism may be related to the clearance of overall oxidant and decrease of the endotoxin level.
2004, Vol. 3 
