Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effects of blueberry anthocyanin on hepatic tissue apoptotic protein expression in rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cirrhosis (LC). Methods 30 SD rats were selected and randomly divided into control, model and blueberry anthocyanin-intervened group, with 10 rats in each group. The model of LC was established by intraperitoneally injection of DEN at dose of 75 mg.kg^-1 .d^-1 for eight weeks, and the blueberry anthocyanin solution was intragastrically administered at 50 mg.kg^-1 .d^-1. At the end of 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and sera and liver tissues were obtained. The malonaldehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver and expression ofBcl-2, Bad and c-caspase-3 were detected by Western bloting. Results The model was successfully built up by pathological examination. Serum ALT, AST, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) levels in model group were (579.87±20.37)U/L, (428.58±18.25)U/L, (2.56±0.18)ng/L and (2.12±0.15)ng/L, significantly higher than [(102.47±3.25)U/L,(104.45±3.87)U/L,(0.81±0.05) ng/L and (0.92±0.07)ng/L, respectively, P<0.05], while all of them greatly decreased in blueberry anthocyanin-intervened 【(371.89±14.72)U/L, (148.71±6.34)U/L, (1.73±0.11)ng/L and (1.45±0.12)ng/L, respectively, P<0.05], serum albumin level in model group was (30.69±2.58)g/L, significantly lower than 【(37.68±3.08)g/L, P<0.05】 in control, while it increased to 【(34.71±3.34)g/L, P<0.05]in blueberry anthocyanin-intervened; hepatic homogenate MDA level in model was (0.49±0.11)μmol/L, significantly higher than 【(0.06±0.01)μmol/L, P<0.05】 in control, and hepatic homogenate SOD was (0.34±0.09)U/mg, significantly lower than 【(0.98±0.21)U/mg, P<0.05】 in the control, while homogenate MDA level in blueberry anthocyanin-intervened group decreased to 【(0.17±0.03)μmol/L, P<0.05】and SOD level increased to 【(0.71±0.19)U/mg, P<0.05】; hepatic tissue Bcl-2 expression in model group was (0.48±0.03), while Bad and c-caspase-3 expression were (1.50±0.18) and (1.41±0.17), all of them significantly decreased or increased as compared to 【(1.76±0.18), (0.41±0.02) and (0.28±0.01), respectively, P<0.05】 in the control group, while hepatic tissue Bcl-2 express intensified, and Bad as well as c-caspase-3 expression much weaken in blueberry anthocyanin-intervened group【1.47±0.14), (0.64±0.05) and (0.50±0.05), P<0.05]. Conclusions Blueberry anthocyanin has some liver function protective effect in rats with DEN-induced liver cirrhosis, which might be related to hepatic oxidative stress reduction and modulation of apoptotic proteins.

Key words: Liver cirrhosis, Diethylnitrosamine, Blueberry anthocyanin, Oxidative stress, Apoptotic protein, Rats