COL1A1 and Hepatic fibrosis: To further confirm the degree of fibrosis, expression levels of genes related to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation (actin alpha 2, smooth muscle, Acta2; transforming growth factor beta cytokines, Tgfb; tumor necrosis factor, Tnf; interleukin 1 beta, Il1b) and ECM production (collagen type I alpha 1 chain, Col1a1) and protein levels of α-SMA and COL1A1 were detected during liver fibrosis.