Doxazosin Treatment Attenuates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Hamsters through a Decrease in Transforming Growth Factor β Secretion.

Background/Aims: The development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cirrhosis has become an important focus for basic and clinical researchers. Adrenergic recetor antagonists have been evaluated as antifibrotic drugs in rodent models of carbon tetrachloride (CCI4)-induced cirrhosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of carvedilol and doxazosin on fibrosis/cirrhosis in a hamster. animal model. Methods: Cirrhotic-induced hamsters were treated by daily administration of carvedilol and doxazosin for 6 weeks. Hepatic function and histological evaluation were conducted by measuring biochemical markers, including total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and albumin, and liver tissue slices. Additionally, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)) immunohistochemistry was analyzed. Results: Biochemical markers revealed that hepatic function was restored after treatment with doxazosin and carvedilol. Histological evaluation showed a decrease in collagen type I deposits and TGF-beta-secreting cells. Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggest that the decrease in collagen type I following treatment with doxa-. zosin or carvedilol is achieved by decreasing the profibrotic activities of TGF-beta via the blockage of alpha l- and beta-adrenergic receptor. Consequently, a diminution of fibrotic tissue in the CCI4-induced model of cirrhosis is achieved. (Gut Liver 2016;10:101-108)