Objective: To assess whether Angiotensin II (Ang II) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) used in combination could accelerate the process of fibrosis and whether Ang II play a role in exagerating hepatic fibrosis in rats.
Methods: Ang II was injected into the abdominal cavity of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats together with subcutaneous injection of CCl(4). Rats were killed after 14 and 28 d. Blood serum and liver specimen were collected. The extent of fibrosis in the stained liver tissue sections was determined with the KS 400 Image Analysis System.
Results: Rats receiving Ang II and CCl(4) for 28 d showed extensive liver fibrosis. Along with the increase of hepatic fibrosis, the serum concentration of Ang II went up gradually.
Conclusions: A combination of Ang II and CCl(4) would accelerate the process of hepatic fibrosis. Ang II probably took part in the occurrence of heparic fibrosis.