Figure 6. SHP activation protects against liver fibrosis in the CCL₄ model.

(A) Effect of compound 2 on AST, Albumin and Bilirubin in mice rendered cirrhotic by administration of CCl₄. Mice were administered CCl₄ for 3 weeks and after the first week of treatment randomized to receive CDCA, 5 mg/kg/day, alone or in combination with ISO-COOH, 30 mg/kg/day. (B) Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. (C) Syrius red staining. (D) Image J quantification of Syrius red staining. (E) Effect of CDCA (5 mg/kg) or ISOCOOH (30 mg/kg) on fibrotic genes in CCl₄-treated mice. The relative hepatic mRNA expression of αSMA, COL1α1, TGFβ1, IL1β, FXR, SHP and BSEP was assayed by Real-Time PCR. Results are the mean ± SE of 4–6 mice per group. *p < 0.05 versus naïve mice. ^#p < 0.05 versus CCl₄ alone.