ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of antisense RNA of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on rat liver fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Gene recombinant techniques were used to construct a rat antisense RNA of CTGF recombinant plasmid which could be expressed in eukaryotic cells. The recombinant plasmids were encapsulated with lipofectamine and then transducted into a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rat liver fibrosis model. Expression of CTGF was assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify type I and III collagens. HE stained liver slides were used for pathological study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA and protein expression of CTGF in the fibrotic liver transfected with antisense-CTGF were significantly decreased compared with those of the controls (P<0.01). The depositions of type I and type III collagens were also decreased (P<0.05). Antisense-CTGF also minimized the pathological fibrosis in the rat livers (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results demonstrate that the antisense RNA of CTGF recombinant plasmid has certain effects in preventing liver fibrosis and makes it a possible candidate for use in future gene therapy.</p>