In addition, the myofibroblast proliferation in the lung (as demonstrated by α-SMA staining) observed in the radiation-only and DEX-treated groups was significantly reduced in rats treated with EGCG at 60 and 120 days after irradiation, suggesting that EGCG-inhibited pulmonary fibrosis partially inhibits myofibroblast transformation and proliferation. This evidence concerns the gene ACTA1 and pulmonary fibrosis.