Abstract: AIM: To study the effect of ribonucleic acid (RNA) against schistosomal hepatic
fibosis in rabbits. METHODS: 54 rabbits were randomly and equally divided into normal group,
infected group, and RNA group. On the 40,70,100th day after RNA i.m. injection, 6 rabbits from
each of the above 3 groups were killed and their plasma and liver were examined by way of
biochemistry and pathology. RESULTS: Compared with the infected group the collagen fiber of
liver in RNA group was less produced, the hepatic cellular nucleolus was enlarged, the number of
rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the granules on the RER were increased, the collagen fiber
around fat-storing cell was decreased, the content of hyaluronic acid in plasma, the hydroxyp
roline level in liver tissue, the percentage of collagen fiber distribution and the collagen
fiber level in liver tissue of RNA group were significantly reduced.CONCLUSION: RNA might play a
role in the prevention of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.

Key words: RNA, liver fibrosis, schistosomiasis