[Effects of hepatocyte growth factor on dose- and time-response of DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes in vitro].

Effects of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor (r-hHGF) on dose- and time-response of DNA synthesis were observed by using the method of 3H-TdR incorporation into DNA in rat hepatocytes in vitro. The results showed that r-hHGF was the most potent mitogen for initiating DNA synthesis of hepatocytes, and there were dose-dependent increase in the range of 1 ng/ml (10 pmol/L)-10 ng/ml (100 pmol/L). The significant effect of r-hHGF was observed even at 1 ng/ml, and the maximal stimulatory effect was found at 10 ng/ml, which was 7-fold rise than the control. Beyond 10 ng/ml, r-hHGF inhibited hepatocyte DNA synthesis. In addition, time-response of r-hHGF on DNA synthesis was observed at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h respectively, 3H-thymidine incorporation was higher than control group after 24 hours of incubation with r-hHGF, and reached top at 48 hours. DNA synthesis decreased after 72 and 96 hours of incubation with r-hHGF.