Objective: To investigate the effect of combined therapy of epigallocatechin gallate

taurine

and genistein on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats and its mechanism. Method: The SD rats were divided into six groups randomly:normal group (n=10)

model group (n=12)

colchicine group (1 mg · kg-1

n=12)

combination therapy low [taurine 50 mg · kg-1+epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) 7.5 mg · kg-1+genistein 5 mg · kg-1

n=12]

middle (taurine 100 mg · kg-1+EGCG 15 mg · kg-1+genistein 10 mg · kg-1

n=12) and high (taurine 200 mg · kg-1+EGCG 30 mg · kg-1+genistein 20 mg · kg-1

n=12) dose group. The rats except normal group were induced by intragastric administration (ig) of 50%CCl4 for 14 weeks

and the normal group was given peanut oil. Treatment was started at the 9th week for 6 weeks. Rats were sacrificed after the last administration

and the serum and liver tissue were taken quickly. The levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase(AST)

transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) and collagen I in serum and total antioxidamt capacity(T-AOC)

superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activities in liver were measured

and HE staining was performed to evaluate histopathologic changes. Result: Compared with normal group

levels of ALT

AST

TGF-β1 and collagen I increased and liver T-AOC

SOD and GSH-Px activities decreased significantly in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group

levels of ALT

AST

TGF-β1 and collagen I decreased significantly in combined therapy of middle and high dose group

and liver T-AOC

SOD and GSH-Px activities increased significantly in combined therapy of high dose group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combined therapy has certain curative effect on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Its mechanism may involve scavenging free radical

alleviating the lipid peroxidation

inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 and reducing the synthesis of extracellular matrix.