[Bleomycin-induced fibroblast proliferation is inhibited by IH764-3]

It reports that IH764-3 has both therapeutical and prophylactic effect on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and mice. The data presented indicate that IH764-3 is a potent inhibitor of the two important ways commonly thought to be the main causes of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin (BLM): 1) BLM stimulates the alveolar macrophages to secrete fibroblast growth factor (FGF); and 2) BLM increases the proliferation rate of the fibroblast directly. This demonstration of suppression of the stimulative effect of BLM on the fibroblast proliferation by IH764-3 provides direct evidence that IH764-3 could be a promising anti-fibrogenetic drug candidate.