The hepatic arterial injection of human naked plasmid HGF DNA was effective in suppressing liver fibrosis induced in rats by DMN. The mechanisms by which HGF expression attenuated liver fibrosis may include the suppression of hepatic TGF-beta expression and the induction of MMP expression.

As naked hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy via the hepatic artery proved simple, safe, and effective in larger animals with cirrhosis, this therapy may be clinically applicable.

No abstract