Expression and its significance of SphK-1 in liver tissue of mice with liver injury

Objective To establish the liver injury model in mice induced by 5% dextran sodium sulfate(DSS),detect the expression of sphingosine kinase-1(SphK-1) in liver of mice,and evaluate the relationship between the level of SphK-1 and hepatic injury. Methods Forty SPF Balb/C male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:blank control group,DSS model group(subdivided into 6,8,12 weeks three sub-group),10 mice in each group.The hepatic injury mice model was induced by intragastric administration of 5% DSS[0.6ml/(d·mouse)].The improved Reitman method was used to detect the serum level of ALT.The hepatic pathological changes were tested by hematoxylin eosin(HE) stain.The expression of SphK-1 in the liver of mouse was detected by quantitative PCR. Results In comparing with control group,the serum levels of ALT was raised in each sub-group(P＜0.05).The hepatic pathological injury was obviously in each sub-group,the most visible change by naked eye was observed in 6 weeks sub-group,the necrosis and lymphocytes infiltration were observed under light microscope.The expression of SphK-1 in liver was reduced in all three sub-groups,the most predominance reduction was observed in 12 weeks,the differences had statistical significance when compared with the control group(P＜0.05).There was a substantially inversely proportional between the expression of SphK-1 and the content ALT in serum. Conclusion Hepatic injury mice model can be induced by 5% DSS.The SphK-1 expression level of liver was decreased along with the level of liver damage in sub-group.We presume that SphK-1 may be closely related with liver damage.