OBJECTIVETo observe the contraction effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the inhibition of salianic-acid B (SA-B) on ET-1, to explore the acting link and the possible mechanism.

METHODSHSC were isolated from human normal liver tissue by enzyme digestion and Nycondenz density gradient centrifugation. The contraction of ET-1 on passage HSCs and the intervention of SA-B with three doses (low-, middle-, and high-) on the contraction were observed by collagen gel contraction. ET-1 and SA-B were directly added to the serum-free medium of HSCs, then calcium ion concentration was detected by laser scanning confocal microscope.

RESULTSCollagen gel contraction experiments showed that ET-1 could induce the contraction of HSC directly (P < 0.01). Three doses of SA-B significantly inhibited the contraction effects of ET-1 on HSCs (all P < 0.01). After adding the ET-1, HSCs morphology changed obviously with the number of cells decreased. However, SA-B inhibited the changes. Laser scanning confocal microscope experiments revealed that ET-1 stimulated the transiently rapid increase of intracellular calcium ion concentration, and the effects was obviously inhibited when SA-B was added.

CONCLUSIONSSA-B could inhibit the contraction of HSCs induced by ET-1, and its mechanism might be related to the lowing of free calcium ion concentration in HSCs. This anti-contraction effect of SA-B is perhaps one of the mechanisms of its anti-fibrosis and anti-portal hypertension effects.