TGFB1 and Hepatic fibrosis: Moreover, a study performed in rats with NASH induced by feeding methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet showed that another ARB, olmesartan, attenuated serum aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, HSC activity, oxidative stress, gene expression of TGF-β1 and collagen, collectively leading to improved liver fibrosis likely resulting from reduced activation of HSCs [51].