Figure 8.

Relative expression of CTGF, TGF-β1, p-Smad-2, and Smad4 protein. The CTGF, TGF-β1, p-Smad-2, and Smad4 protein expression was normalized to the housekeeping gene actin. Compared with the control group, levels of CTGF, TGF-β1, p-Smad-2, and Smad4 protein were significantly up-regulated (p < 0.05). The protein levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF increased significantly with the severity of strictures in different groups (p < 0.05). Levels of Smad and Smad4 protein were positively correlated with the expression of TGF-β1 (r = 0.59, p < 0.05) and CTGF (r = 0.63, p < 0.05), respectively. 1 – Control group; 2 – mild stenosis group; 3 – moderate stenosis group; 4 – severe stenosis group