Modulating effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) oil on CD34 and vimentin expressions in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver tissues induced by CCl4 in mice

Aim: evaluate the impact of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on CD34 and vimentin expression in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis induced with CCl4 in experimental mice. Methods: GI: normal group given no therapy; control group. GII: received a daily dose (1mL/kg/bw/d) of milk thistle oil M.T.O for 4 weeks; GIII&GIV: injected i.p. with (1:1 ratio) mixture of CCl4 and olive oil (1mL/kg/bw) twice weekly for 4 weeks to induce fibrosis, and for 6 weeks to induce cirrhosis. Gp5 and Gp6: fibrotic and cirrhotic groups administered M.T.O as in Gp2. The results showed that liver sections of Gp1 and Gp2 showed normal moderate to strong CD34 expression in the endothelial cells of the blood sinusoids and many hepatocytes. The liver tissues of Gp3 and Gp4 expressed decrement CD34 immunoreactivity in many hepatic lobules. The liver sections of Gp5 or Gp6 showed restoration of CD34 expression in most of the hepatic tissues. In Gp1 and Gp2, the vimentin was expressed as weak or moderate immunostaining in the endothelial cells and connective tissues (wall of the blood sinusoids, central portal veins, and portal tract stroma). The liver sections of Gp3 and Gp4 showed overexpression of vimentin immunoreactivity. The treatment with M.T.O in Gp5 and Gp6 showed improvement and recovery of vimentin expression in the hepatic lobules. Conclusion: M.T.O. treatment improved the hepatic injury induced in fibrotic or cirrhotic tissues by CCl4 injection and could be recommended for patients with fibrotic and cirrhotic liver diseases.