[Proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells and effects of compound 861 on liver fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in vitro and in vivo and the effects of Chinese herb, compound 861.

METHODS

The in vitro study was carried out on the culture of hepatic stellate cell line. Various concentrations of compound 861 were added and incubated. Cell proliferation was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy, flow cytometry and TUNEL. The subjects of in vivo study were patients with chronic hepatitis B.

RESULTS

Compound 861 could significantly inhibit HSC proliferation and increase the apoptosis rate of HSC dose-dependently and time-dependently compared with the control group. After compound 861 incubation for 48h, the apoptosis rate of HSC was 25.9% compared with 9.2% in control group (P<0.05). The clinical study elucidated that the HSC was activated and proliferated in patients with chronic hepatitis B. After compound 861 treatment for 6 months, the number of activated HSC decreased and the apoptosis of HSC could be seen in the liver biopsy.

CONCLUSION

Apoptosis of activated HSC exists in vitro and in vivo, stimulating its apoptosis may play an important role in the treatment of liver fibrosis.