Mechanism of Anti-Hepatic Fibrosis of TGF-β1/Smad Signaling Pathway Affected by Chymase Inhibitors

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the pathological mechanism of chymase inhibitors (Chy-I) on liver tissue in rats with hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Rats in the model group and chymase inhibitor group were established by using carbon tetrachloride. Rats in the chymase inhibitor group intragastrically received Chy-I (10 mg/kg/d) during the modeling. The pathological changes of rat liver tissues induced by chymase inhibitors were investigated, and the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1, Smad3 and Smad7 were observed in rat liver tissues. Results: When compared to the model group, The results presented that the liver tissue pathology of rats had been significantly improved in the Chy-I group. When compared to the normal group, the mRNA expression level and protein expression level of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in liver tissues had significantly increased, but the mRNA expression level and protein expression level of Smad7 significantly decreased (p < 0 05). When compared to the model group, the mRNA expression level and protein expression level of TGF-β1 and Smad3 was significantly downregulated, but the mRNA expression level and protein expression level of Smad7 was significantly upregulated in the Chy-I group. Conclusion:Chy-I plays an active role in blocking hepatic fibrosis in rats by affecting the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in liver tissues through multiple sites.