*2.2. Induction of Chronic Liver Injury by CCl4 and Bile Duct Ligation (BDL)*

For induction of progressive pericentral fibrosis, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4,1g/kg b.w. in olive oil) was repeatedly injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice a week for 2, 6 and 12 months. The vehicle controls received only olive oil in the same way as the CCl4 groups. Samples were collected on day 6 after the last CCl4 or oil injection. In order to induce periportal fibrosis, the extrahepatic common bile duct was ligated under anaesthesia as previously described [22]. Liver tissue samples were collected on day 21 post-BDL or sham operation.
