['The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of hepatocytes is a key step for hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. Long-term administration of celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, can ameliorate hepatic fibrosis. This research aimed to examine the effect of celecoxib on the EMT of hepatocytes during the development of liver cirrhosis.', "Cirrhotic liver model of rat was established by peritoneal injection of thiacetamide (TAA). Thirty-six rats were randomly assigned to control, TAA, and TAA\u2009+\u2009celecoxib groups. Hepatic expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), COX-2, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Phospho-Smad2/3, Snail1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, collagen I, fibroblast-specific protein (FSP-1), E-cadherin and N-cadherin were quantitated. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed by the visible hepatic fibrotic areas and Ishak's scoring system.", 'Exposed to TAA treatment, hepatocytes underwent the process of EMT during hepatic fibrosis. Compared with those in TAA group, celecoxib significantly downregulated the hepatic expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, PGE2 , MMP-2, MMP-9, TGF-β1, Phospho-Smad2/3, Snail1, α-SMA, FSP-1, and vimentin while greatly restoring the levels of E-cadherin. The fibrotic areas and collagen I levels of TAA\u2009+\u2009celecoxib group were much lower than those in TAA group.'] Does celecoxib attenuate hepatic cirrhosis through inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of hepatocytes?