Effects of pioglitazone on the morphology and the expression of connective tissue growth factor of transforming growth factor beta-induced rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro.
- Author:
Jin-bin JIA
1
;
Yan LIU
;
Wei-hua CHEN
;
Mei LIU
;
Lun-gen LU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Collagen Type III; secretion; Connective Tissue Growth Factor; metabolism; Hepatic Stellate Cells; drug effects; metabolism; Rats; Thiazolidinediones; pharmacology; Transforming Growth Factor beta; pharmacology
- From: Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2007;15(3):192-195
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVESTo observe the effects of pioglitazone on morphological changes and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF b)-induced rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro, and to investigate the anti-fibrotic mechanism of pioglitazone.
METHODSCultured rat HSCs were divided into a no-treatment control group, a TGF b-treated group, and a TGFb plus different dosage pioglitazone-treated group. The morphological changes of the cultured HSCs were observed. The expression of CTGF was assessed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. The level of collagen type III in the culture supernatant was measured by ELISA.
RESULTSTGFb induced morphological changes, and increased the expressions of CTGF and collagen type III of the HSCs (P less than 0.05). Pioglitazone prevented the TGFb induced morphological changes of the HSCs. The expression of CTGF and the levels of collagen type III in the pioglitazone group were lower than the TGF b-treated group (P less than 0.05). This prevention effect was dose-dependent (P less than 0.05).
CONCLUSIONPioglitazone blocks the excretion of CTGF and collagen type III of cultured HSCs, preventing the development of liver fibrosis.
