The role of ursodeoxycholic acid on cholestatic hepatic fibrosis in infant rats

The aim of the present study was to identify the impact of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on liver function and fibrosis markers in infant rats by establishing a cholestatic‑induced hepatic fibrosis model. α‑naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) was administrated by gavage to induce cholestatic hepatic fibrosis in infant rats. UCDA treatment was performed to assess its impact on biochemical indicators of liver function, four serum biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis indices in liver tissues and the pathology of liver tissues. Colorimetric assays and biochemical assays based on the initial rate method were performed to determine the levels of liver function markers in the serum, whereas the serum biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis were measured via radioimmunoassay. Sections of liver tissue were harvested and stained with hematoxylin‑eosin or picric acid‑Sirius red, and subjected to immunohistochemical staining to analyze liver pathology. All indicators of liver function, except for cholinesterase, were significantly higher in the ANIT model than in the control group (P