Effect of telmisartan on TGF-β expression.

<p>Protein bands were probed with an antibody to TGF-β or GAPDH, and the ratio of TGF-β/GAPDH was determined from blots by density analysis (A). Liver sections from PCK and normal +/+ rats were stained with an antibody to TGF-β. TGF-β-positive cells were stained green by Alexa568, and nuclei were stained blue by DAPI (B). The percentage of TGF-β-positive cells was determined in cuboidal-shaped (C-type) and flat-shaped (F-type) cholangiocytes and the interstitial regions of PCK liver sections, and in normal bile ducts and the interstitial cells of +/+ liver sections (C). Comparison between vehicle-treated (CONT) PCK and +/+ rats in each gender, ^##<i>P</i><0.01. Comparison between vehicle-treated (CONT) and telmisartan-treated (TEL) PCK or +/+ rats in each gender, *<i>P</i><0.05, **<i>P</i><0.01.