Purpose:T0 study the mechanism and the potentiality of calciumchannel blocker to prevent organal fibrogenisis. Materials and Mehods:The effects ofnifedipine(Nif)and nicardipine (Nic)on proliferation of human lung fibroblasts(HLF)and synthesis of coliagen and hyaluronic acid(HA)were determined by means of MTT,measuring the incorporation of 3H-proline and radioimmunoassay, respectively.Results: both Nif and Nic supressed HLF proliferation and collagen synthesis,as wellas decreased the production of HA in a concentration-dependent manner at l0-40?mol/L. In addition,there were no significant toxic actions on HLF. Conclusion: Nifand Nic might be hopeful antifibrotic drugs.

Objective: To investigate the effect of vitamin E (VE) and selenium (Se) on liver fibrosis and antioxidative function in the carbon tetrachloride induced rats. Methods: 48 normal male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (16 rats / group): intervention group, pathological group and control group. The control group was injected with normal saline; the others were given intraperitonally CCl 4 (diluted with an equal volume of olive oil). The rats in the intervention group were fed with chow supplemented with VE (250 mg/kg) and Se(0.2 mg/kg), and the others were given standard chow. All rats were put to death after 8 w injection. Tissue sections were stained with routine HE and Masson trichrome collagen; the markers of liver fibrosis and antioxidative function were detected and the changes of these markers were observed. Results: As compared with rats in pathological group, a lower degree of fiber proliferation occurred in the rats in intervention group. The serum levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and the content of hydroxyproline in the liver tissue were significantly lower; the rats in intervention group had a higher ability of anti oxidation, and the activity of SOD (superoxide dismutase) in the liver tissue and serum and GPX (glutathione peroxidase) in erythrocyte were higher, and the MDA (malondialdehyde) levels in tissue and serum levels were significantly lower. Conclusion: The adequate dietary supplement of VE and selenium could elevate the ability of anti oxidation and the proliferative degree of collagenous fibers in liver was significantly reduced.

OBJECTIVETo assess whether Angiotensin II (Ang II) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) used in combination could accelerate the process of fibrosis and whether Ang II play a role in exagerating hepatic fibrosis in rats.

METHODSAng II was injected into the abdominal cavity of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats together with subcutaneous injection of CCl(4). Rats were killed after 14 and 28 d. Blood serum and liver specimen were collected. The extent of fibrosis in the stained liver tissue sections was determined with the KS 400 Image Analysis System.

RESULTSRats receiving Ang II and CCl(4) for 28 d showed extensive liver fibrosis. Along with the increase of hepatic fibrosis, the serum concentration of Ang II went up gradually.

CONCLUSIONSA combination of Ang II and CCl(4) would accelerate the process of hepatic fibrosis. Ang II probably took part in the occurrence of heparic fibrosis.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Angiotensin II ; blood ; toxicity ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology