title: Γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor improves carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.
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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GABAB receptor may have a protective role in the liver.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organ Transplantation, 309th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, A17, Heishanhu Road, Haidian District, 100091 Beijing, China. fan_wenmei@163.com
authors.forename: Wenmei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Bingyi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Hongshan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Xihui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Xiuyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058788:GABA-B Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D001418:Baclofen; D015415:Biomarkers; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D058788:GABA-B Receptor Antagonists; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat