RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the role of glycyrrhizin on TGFbeta1 stimulated signaling transduction in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mice HSCs were isolated and cultured with or without glycyrrhizin (1 micromol/L-1000 micromol/L) in vitro after TGFbeta1 stimulation. The mRNA level of Smad2, 3, 7 were measured with RT-PCR; protein expression level of Smad2, 3, 7 and collagen I, III were analyzed with Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TGFbeta1 increased the mRNA level and protein expression of Smad2, 3, 7 in HSC; it also increased protein expression of collagen I and III. 1 micromol/L-1000 micromol/L glycyrrhizin decreased the mRNA level and protein expression of Smad2, 3, 7; it also inhibited protein expression of collagen I and III gradually.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Interventing the TGFbeta signaling pathway and decreasing the synthesis of collagen, might be involved in the anti-fibrosis mechanism of glycyrrhizin.</p>