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γ-Aminobutyric Acid B Receptor Improves Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

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Abstract

Background

It was well known that angiotension II can inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation. The GABAB receptor was upregulated when the hepatic stellate cell line was stimulated by angiotension II in our previous study. But the role of the GABAB receptor in liver fibrosis has never been reported.

Aim

In the present study, we investigated the effects of this receptor on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

Methods

The rats were divided into four groups including GABAB receptor agonist, antangonist, model and control group. α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and GABAB receptor expression levels were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Liver function tests were performed once blood samples was taken; Western blot analysis was used to detect protein expression level of α-SMA and TGF-β1.

Results

We found baclofen ameliorated the CCl4-induced rats’s liver fibrosis. The highest liver enzymes and α-SMA protein levels were found in the CGP35348 group.

Conclusion

The GABAB receptor may have a protective role in the liver.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30800509).

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Organ Transplantation, 309th Hospital of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, A17, Heishanhu Road, Haidian District, 100091, Beijing, China

    Wenmei Fan, Bingyi Shi, Xihui Ma, Xiuyun He & Kai Feng

  2. Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, No. 8 East Jingshun Street, Chaoyang District, 100015, China

    Hongshan Wei

Authors
  1. Wenmei Fan
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  2. Bingyi Shi
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  3. Hongshan Wei
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  4. Xihui Ma
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  5. Xiuyun He
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  6. Kai Feng
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Correspondence to Bingyi Shi.

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Fan, W., Shi, B., Wei, H. et al. γ-Aminobutyric Acid B Receptor Improves Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats. Dig Dis Sci 58, 1909–1915 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-013-2623-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-013-2623-z

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