Objective To elucidate the effects of endothelin-1(ET-1) on expression of extra-regulated kinase 1(ERK 1), cell cycle and changes of Ca 2+ in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods Effects of different concentra tions of ET-1 on ERK 1 expression were determined by Western blotting. Effects of ET- 1 on cell cycle were observed by flow cytometry(FCM) analysis. Effects of ET-1 on changes of calcium concentration and cell area were observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Results ET-1 could inhibit the expression of ERK 1 i n a dose-dependent manner, compared with the control, the expression of ERK 1 in E T-1 highest concentration group decreased 10.91%?3.36% (P

Objective To measure hepatic ultrasonic integrated backscatter (IBS) in healthy rabbits as a non-invasive quantitative diagnostic means for hepatic steatosis, hepatic fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis; to determine the factors that may influence the IBS measurement. Methods Thirty-five healthy New Zealand white rabbits with normal liver function tests and normal liver biopsies were used in this study. HP Sonos 5500 image system with quantitative analysis function was used for IBS measurement. With the machine setting fixed, and optimal image obtained, left and right liver were divided into near, medial and far areas according to the depth. Further the measurements of IBS in different depth were performed respectively. Meanwhile, in the same liver the IBS image was collected and the change of IBS intensity was measured in various setting of machine index (MI), time gain compensation (TGC) and lateral gain compensation (LGC). Results Average image intensity (AII) of left liver (from near to far areas) was ( 25.38? 2.36)dB, ( 26.32? 2.38)dB, and ( 26.45? 2.28)dB, respectively. The AII of the right liver (from near to far areas) was ( 24.99? 2.23)dB, ( 24.92? 2.59)dB, and ( 25.38? 2.36)dB, respectively. The average standardized AII of image in left livers was significantly higher than that of the right (P

Objective To investigate whether pharmacological serum from the rats taking radix salviae miltiorrhizae (RSM) can inhibit increase of intracellular free calcium level in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods A total of 32 healthy SD rats were divided into 4 groups. Two groups were modeled into hepatic fibrosis by 40% CCl 4 injection subcutaneously for 9 weeks and RSM were filled into the stomachs of one group (group A) but the same volume of saline into the other group (group B) twice a day for 6 d. Another two groups were only filled with RSM (group C) and saline (group D) for 6 d without modeling into hepatic fibrosis. The pharmacological serum was drawn from the inferior vena cava at 2 h after the last time of RSM or saline and used to culture HSCs at the concentration of 10% for 24 h. After HSCs were loaded with Fluo-3/AM, the effects of RSM on [Ca 2+ ] i with laser scanning confocal microscopy were examined before and after angiotensin Ⅱ treatment. Results In the activated HSCs of groups A and C, [Ca 2+ ] i decreased significantly as compared with groups B and D (P

AIM: To study the action of JNK in stimulating proliferation in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induced by interleukin-1?. METHODS: Activation of JNK was detected with Western blotting, while the proliferation of HSCs induced by interleukin-1? and the effect of JNK specific blockade SP600125 were measured with cell counting kit-8. RESULTS: Interleukin-1? up-regulated proliferation in rat HSCs, which was obviously inhibited by SP600125, compared with control group (without SP600125 treatment) (1.560?0.110), the decrease was significant (1.427?0.113, P

Objective To analyze the differences of time-effect and pathologic feature in the course of development of liver fibrosis between the two kinds of hepatic fibrotic animal models, which were made by CCl 4 and pig serum (PS) methods.Methods Rat models of liver fibrosis were made by using CCl 4 and PS ten week methods.At 6,10,14 and 20 weeks of model making respectively,pathological features of liver fibrosis were observed and analyzed by Masson staining and computerized image analyzing system.Results In CCl 4-induced model,fibrotic pseudolobuli developed at 6 weeks during model making, became typical at 10 weeks, and got stable thereafter.Ballooning degeneration of liver cells was outstanding,and paralleled with model making course.In PS-induced model, fibrosis occurred at 10 weeks during model making, and still developed though the model making was stopped,but ballooning degeneration of liver cells was not presented.Conclusions There was some different in time-effect relation and pathologic feature of liver fibrosis between the two methods of model making. This indicated that different mechanisms were involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The two methods of model making should be combined to study of liver fibrosis.The prophylactic and treatment by anti-fibrotic drugs should last no less than 14 weeks.