Abstract: Abstract Objective To investigate the mechanism of TGFβ1 and CTGF signaling pathway in experimental hepatic fibrosis mice. Methods 30 C57BL6/J mice were divided into control group and model group (each group, n=15). Mice were injected with CCL4 which induced liver fibrosis. Serum ALT and HA were tested by enzymic method and radio-immunity. Liver inflammation was graded by HE staining, and liver fibrosis by Masson staining. The expression of proteins of TGFβ1，CTGF，TGFβRII，Smad3，Smad7 of liver tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of TGF-β1, Smad3，Smad7 and CTGF mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results Compared with control group, the expression of TGFβ1, CTGF，TGFβRII, Smad3 proteins and TGFβ1, CTGF，Smad3 mRNA were increased but Smad7 protein and Smad7 mRNA were decreased in model group. The levels of ALT and HA was higher in model group than control group. Conclusion TGFβ1 and CTGF pathway overactivitied may be associated with liver fibrosis. Down-regulating TGFβ, CTGF pathway and up-regulating smad7 expression may be suppressing the hepatic fibrosis.

Key words: Key words: Hepatic fibrosis, Smad protein, TGFβ1, CTGF, signalling pathway