Fig. 2.

TGR5 deficiency exacerbated BDL-induced CHI in mice. WT and TGR5^−/− C57BL/6 mice were subjected to sham surgery or BDL, and liver tissues and serum were harvested at 1, 3 and 7 days after surgery. (A–C) sTBA, sTBIL and sALT levels in serum were determined (n = 6 for each group). (D) Representative histological staining (H&E) of cholestatic liver tissue (n = 6). Scale bars: 100 μm. Liver damage was evaluated by Suzuki’s histological score. (E) Representative images of paraffin liver sections stained with Masson’s trichrome (7 days after surgery) (n = 6). Scale bars: 50 μm. (F) Kaplan–Meier plots revealed an association between TGR5 deficiency and shorter survival in BDL-induced CHI. Statistical analysis was performed by Student’s t-test. Results expressed as mean ± SD. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.