Abstract
Activated factor X has a central role in the coagulation activation and also contributes to chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis. In this study, rivaroxaban, a direct factor X inhibitor, attenuates liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male rats were randomly allocated into three groups: a control group, CCl4 fibrotic group, and CCl4+rivaroxaban (5 mg/kg) group. Liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 twice a week for 6 weeks. Rivaroxaban significantly restored the biochemical parameter including inflammatory and fibrosis markers with histopathological evidence using routine and Masson trichrome staining. It reduced also the expression of tissue factor, fibrin, transforming growth factor and alpha-smooth muscle actin in the liver tissues. This concludes that rivaroxaban attenuates liver injury caused by CCl4, at least in part by inhibiting coagulation and proinflammatory activation. In conclusion, rivaroxaban may be used for the management of liver fibrosis.