The Effects of Freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) Extract on Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells

Figure 8

CE reduces the expression of hepatic a-SMA and collagen I in rats with CCl₄-induced liver damage. Wistar rats were intragastrically infused with 0.5 ml corn oil or 0.5 ml 20% (v/v) CCl₄/corn oil twice a week for nine weeks; then, the CCl₄-infused rats were infused with 2 ml water or 2 ml CE solution (containing 0.05 g CE) every day for four weeks. Next, the livers were excised after the rats were sacrificed. The liver tissues were homogenized and analyzed via western blotting using anti-α-SMA, collagen I, and β-actin antibodies. A quantitative western blot analysis was used to calculate the a-SMA and collagen I values normalized against β-actin. The data are shown as the mean ± SD obtained from three independent experiments. ^∗P < 0.05.