Carvedilol Attenuates the Progression of Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Bile Duct Ligation

Figure 3

α-SMA expression and the apoptotic index of activated HSC. (a, c) Expression of α-SMA by immunohistochemical staining (magnification ×200). Treatment with carvedilol was effective in inhibiting HSC activation. Moreover, it was related to the doses of the drug. versus BDL group for 2 weeks; , versus BDL group for 4 weeks. CAR-M versus CAR-L, ; CAR-H versus CAR-M, . CAR-M versus CAR-L, ; CAR-H versus CAR-M, . (b, d) Apoptosis of activated HSC by TUNEL and α-SMA immunohistochemical double staining. The apoptosis of activated HSC was markedly increased after carvedilol treatment, especially in the CAR-M and CAR-H groups. , versus BDL group for 2 weeks; , versus BDL group for 4 weeks. CAR-H versus CAR-M, .

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