IκB kinase-beta inhibitor attenuates hepatic fibrosis in mice

Figure 6 Western blotting analysis of tumor growth factor-beta1, alpha-smooth muscle actin proteins were measured that were involved in IKK2-nuclear factor-κB pathways in the liver in different groups (A: Control; B: HF group; C: HF + LPS group; D: HF + LPS + IMD group). β-actin was used as a loading control. The levels of tumor growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) measured in livers were increased in the HF and HF + LPS groups. IKK2 inhibitor significantly inhibited LPS and HF-induced expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in mouse livers. The ratio of TGF-β1 and α-SMA/β-actin in the liver was increased in other groups, compared with the control group, ^aP < 0.05. IKK2 inhibitor normalized TGF-β1 and α-SMA significantly compared with the HF or LPS + HF groups. ^cP < 0.05. HF: High-fat; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; IMD: IKK2 inhibitor.