Liver Cirrhosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Liver Cirrhosis, including details on alcohol, treatment, drugs, effects, causes.

The beneficial effect of aspirin and enoxaparin on fibrosis progression and regenerative activity in a rat model of cirrhosis.

Assy N, Hussein O, Khalil A, Luder A, Szvalb S, Paizi M, Spira G

Liver Clinic, Sieff Government Hospital, P.O.B. 1008, Safed 13100, Israel. assy.n@ziv.health.gov.il

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the antithrombotic drugs aspirin and enoxaparin on fibrosis progression and regenerative activity in a rat model of liver cirrhosis and to determine if these two drugs are beneficial in animals with advanced fibrosis or with established cirrhosis undergoing partial hepatectomy. Thioacetamide-induced cirrhotic rats received saline (N=10), aspirin (N=7), or enoxaparin (N=11) for a 5-week treatment period. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed according to METAVIR score. Liver regeneration was monitored using PCNA immunostaining. Compared to untreated cirrhotic controls, a significant improvement in fibrosis grade was observed in the aspirin (43%; chi(2)=54, P<0.001) and enoxaparin (36%; chi(2)=43, P<0.001) treated groups. Postoperatively, total serum bilirubin levels were lower in the aspirin (1.4+/-0.18 mg/dl; P<0.01) and enoxaparin (1.8+/-0.35 mg/dl; P<0.05)-treated groups compared to untreated cirrhotic controls (3.2+/-0.6 mg/dl). Hepatic regenerative activity was significantly improved in the aspirin group (57.3%+/-6.8%, versus 34.2%+/-7.2% in untreated cirrhotic controls; P<0.01) but unchanged in the enoxaparin group. We conclude that aspirin and enoxaparin hold promise as a useful therapy for patients with extensive fibrosis.

Published 18 April 2007 in Dig Dis Sci, 52(5): 1187-93.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Liver Cirrhosis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.