Abstract: Abstract Objective To dynamic observe the protective effects and mechanism of LingQiJuanGan(LQL) in rats with CCl4-induced chronic liver injury. Methods The chronic liver injury in rats was induced by 40% CCl4, the therapic group was given LQL by intragastric administration from the fourth week. Blood and liver were collected at the same time at the end of the 0, 4th, the 6th, the 8th and the 10th week. The level of serum endotoxin , tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β( IL-1β) were detected. The expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) protein in hepatic tissue were assayed by immunohistochemistry. The expressions of TLR4 mRNA in Kupffer cells(KCs) were measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Compared with the model group, LQL therapic group noticeable decreased the level of serum endotoxin , TNF-α and IL-1β（P <0.001）. LQL therapic group had lower expression of the TLR4 mRNA in KCs and NF-κB and TLR4 protein in hepatic tissue than that of model group（P <0.001）. A positive correlation was found between serum endotoxin levels and the expression of TLR4 mRNA in KCs（r=0.845, P<0.001） Conclusion The inhibition of expressions of TLR4 and endtoxin in chronic liver injury induced by CCl4 in rats may account for the anti liver inflammation effects of LQL.

Key words: LingQiJuanGan Liquor, chronic liver injury, TNF-α, TLR4, Rat