Influence and mechanism of c-jun gene silenced by siRNA on liver regeneration in liver cirrhotic rats after hepatectomy

Objective To investigate the influence and mechanism of c-jun gene silenced by siRNA on liver regeneration in liver cirrhotic rats after hepatectomy. Methods Liver cirrhotic rat models were established and 50 liver cirrhotic rats were randomized into the treatment group and the control group by random number table method with 25 rats in each group. The rats in the treatment group underwent major hepatectomy and were administered with lentivirus carrying plasmid Pcmv6-AC-GFP/ c-jun-siRNA by intraportal injection, while the rats in the control group underwent major hepatectomy and were administered with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) by intraportal injection. The portal pressure, serum ALT and liver weight/body weight of both groups were tested 14 d after surgery. The relative expression of c-jun in the liver and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein was detected by Western blot. The data between the treatment group and the control group were compared using t test. Results The average portal pressure of the treatment group after surgery was (1.18±0.11) kPa, which was significantly lower than (1.67±0.24) kPa of the control group (t=-26.74, P<0.05). ALT of the treatment group after surgery was (43±5) U/L, which was significantly lower than (257±14) U/L of the control group (t=-31.11, P<0.05). Liver weight/body weight of the treatment group after surgery was (6.94±0.31)%, which was significantly greater than (2.76±0.14)% of the control group (t=23.57, P<0.05). The relative expression of c-jun and PCNA protein of the treatment group after surgery was respectively 0.143±0.014 and 0.195±0.027, and those of the control group was respectively 0.742±0.057 and 0.029±0.003, where significant difference was observed (t=-37.17, 14.86; P<0.05). Conclusion Lentivirus carrying c-jun-siRNA may promote liver regeneration and improve live function in cirrhotic rats after hepatectomy by down-regulating the c-jun in hepatocyte and up-regulating the PCNA protein. Key words: Proto-oncogene proteins c-jun; Liver cirrhosis, experimental; Hepatectomy; Liver regeneration