Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To investigate effects of Saikosaponin D(SSd) on syndecan-2,matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2(TIMP-2) in livers of rat with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Male SD rats were divided into control(n=10),model(n=20) and SSd(n=20) groups,and model and SSd groups given intragastric 0.2%(w/v) N-diethylnitrosamine to induce HCC.SSd group received 0.03%(w/v) SSd in saline.Liver samples were analysed immunohistochemically for syndecan-2,MMP-2,MMP-13 and TIMP-2 at 16 weeks.RESULTS:The model group had more malignant nodules than the SSd group;all model-group HCC cells were grade III;SSd-group HCC cells were grades I-II.Controls showed normal hepatic cell phenotypes and no syndecan-2 + staining.Syndecan-2 + staining was greater in the model group(35.2%,P≤0.001) than in controls or the SSd group(16.5%,P ≤ 0.001).The model group had more intense MMP-2 + staining than controls(0.37 vs 0.27,P≤0.01) or the SSd group(0.31 vs 0.37,P≤0.05);and higher MMP-13 + staining(72.55%) than in controls(12.55%,P≤0.001) and SSd group(20.18%,P≤0.01).The model group also had more TIMP-2 + staining(57.2%) than controls(20.9%,P≤0.001) and SSd group(22.7%,P≤0.001).Controls and SSd group showed no difference in TIMP-2 + rates.CONCLUSION:SSd inhibited HCC development,and downregulated expression of syndecan-2,MMP-2,MMP-13 and TIMP-2 in rat HCC liver tissue.

Key words: Carcinoma,Hepatocellular, Saikosaponin, Syndecan-2, Matrix metalloproteinases, Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase inhibitor-2