[Protection of hepatocyte growth factor against carbon tetrachloride injury in primary rat hepatocyte culture].

The protective effect of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor (r-hHGF) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injury in cultured rat hepatocytes was investigated. It was found that r-hHGF had cytoprotective effect on hepatocytes anainst CCl4 poisoning. Pretreatment with r-hHGF significantly increased the viability of cultured hepatocytes, reduced the leakage of intracellular alanine transaminase and potassium into the culture medium, as compared with the CCl4 group. The results suggest that r-hHGF may protect hepatocytes against CCl4 injury through lessening the severity of membrane lesion, preventing intracellular alanine transaminase and potassium leakage and sustaining the integrity of hepatocyte membrane.