Synergistic effect of emodin and cyclosporine A on rejective reaction against liver graft in rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of emodin in combination with cyclosporine A(CsA) on rejective reaction against liver graft in rats.Methods The LEW→BN orthotopic liver transplantation rat model was used in the study.A total of 48 rats were divided into 4 groups randomly and equally,after operation they were intraperitoneally injected respectively with normal saline(0.5 mL·d-1,group A);CsA(10.0 mg·kg-1·d-1,group B);emodin(50.0 mg·kg-1·d-1,group C);and CsA plus emodin(group D,at the same dose as in B and C).Six rats taken from each group were sacrificed on the 8th day after operation to calculate the rejection active index(RAI) and hepatocyte apoptosis index(AI).The remainder were stopped medication and used for observing the survival time.Results The inter-group comparisons in mean survival time,RAI and AI showed significant difference in comparing group A with group B,C and D(P0.01),and those in group D were more obvious than in group B and C(P0.05),but showed no significant difference between group B and group C(P0.05).Conclusion Administering of emodin combined with CsA after liver transplantation shows a synergistic effect for suppressing acute rejective reaction in rats.