The role of TGF-β1 and cytokines in the modulation of liver fibrosis by Sho-saiko-to in rat's bile duct ligated model

Our results showed that TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5 g/(kg day) significantly reduced the serum level of PIII NP, the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and PDGF. For the cytokines involved in the activation of Ito cell, TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5 g/(kg day) significantly suppressed the increasing tendency of IL-1β and enhanced the production of TNF-α. Finally, we concluded that: (1) TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5 g/(kg day) significantly reduced the serum fibrotic marker PIII NP in the bile duct ligated model, and its mechanism was partly by means of downregulating the mRNA of TGF-β1 and PDGF. These results also confirmed by the immunohistochemical staining of TGF-β1. (2) TJ-9 at a dose of 0.5 g/(kg day) suppressed the increasing tendency of IL-1β and stimulated the production of TNF-α to inhibit Ito cell proliferation and collagen formation.