In addition, treating rats with VD3 alone inhibited TGF-β-induced fibroblast proliferation and α -SMA expression [62], as VD3 exerts its protective effect on the progression of liver fibrosis via an antifibrotic effect on HSCs, regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, and modulating a specific signal transduction pathway mediated by VD receptors [63]. The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is Hepatic fibrosis.