Alterations of mast cells and TGF-β1 on the silymarin treatment for CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis

Figure 4 Positive reactive cells for α-SMA, TGF-β1 in only CCl₄- or CCl₄ with silymarin-treated groups. In only CCl₄-treated group - A: Weak positive reaction for α-SMA was detected at 4 wk; B: At 8 wk, increasing positive reaction for α-SMA was observed around fibrous septa; C: At 12 wk, α-SMA-positive cells observed a little decreasing along to the thick collagenous septa. In CCl₄ with silymarin-treated group -D: positive reaction for α-SMA was slightly detected at 4 wk; E: At 8 wk, α-SMA-positive cells were lower than that of CCl₄-only-treated group; F: At 12 wk, positive expression of α-SMA was shown the same pattern with result of CCl₄-treated group at 8 wk. In only CCl₄-treated group -G: Weak positive reaction for TGF-β1 (arrowhead) was detected in portal triad at wk 4; H: At 8 wk, increasing positive reaction for TGF-β1 (arrowhead) was observed in macrophage and around fibrous septa; I: At 12 wk, several hepatocytes (open arrowhead), located peripherally within pseudolobules, were observed TGFbeta1-positive immunoreaction. In CCl₄ with silymarin-treated group - J: At 4 wk, positive reaction for TGF-β1 (arrowhead) was slightly detected in macrophages; K: At 8 wk, positive reactive cells for TGF-β1 (arrowhead) were lower than that of CCl₄-only-treated group; L: At 12 wk, expressions of TGFbeta1 (arrowhead) were seen weaker than those of CCl₄-treated group and not detected in hepatocytes. Immunostaining for α-SMA (A-F) and TGF-β1 (G-L) with hematoxylin counterstain. Original magnifications: ×33 (A-F); ×132 (G-L).