Figure 8.

Rhein decreased the expression of TGF-β1 in MCGT1 cells. After exposing MCGT1 cells to rhein (25 μg ml⁻¹) for 48 h, the total RNA or protein was extracted. The TGF-β1 mRNA level was measured by real-time RT-PCR, the result was normalized to β-actin and was expressed as fold change compared with that of control MCLacZ cells (a). The TGF-β1 protein level was measured by ELISA method and the result was also expressed as fold change compared with that of MCLacZ cells (b). Each value represents the mean±s.e.mean of five samples. ^*P<0.01 vs MCLacZ cells. ^#P<0.01 vs untreated MCGT1 cells. RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase-PCR; TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-β1.