[Study on the effect of leptin on fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro in rats].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of leptin on fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis as to elucidate that fibroblasts play a role in leptin's effect on wound healing.

METHODS

Purified dermal fibroblasts were derived from sucking wistar rat skin and exposed to leptin at concentration of 0, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ng/ml. The survived fibroblasts were assessed by the colorimetric thiazolyl blue (MTT) assay. Replication of fibroblast was quantified by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. Collagen synthesis of fibroblast cell was measured by the incorporation of 3H-proline into collagenase-sensitive protein.

RESULTS

The absorption of fibroblast exposed to leptin at concentration of 200 and 400 ng/ml 0.082 +/- 0.013, 0.091 +/- 0.018 was higher than that of control group 0.063 +/- 0.010, P < 0.05. The incorporations of 3H-thymidine of fibroblast exposed to leptin at concentration of 200 and 400 ng/ml 379 +/- 101 cpm, 326 +/- 33 cpm were significantly higher than those of control group 219 +/- 56 cpm, P < 0.05. The incorporations of 3H-proline of fibroblast exposed to leptin at concentration of 200 and 400 ng/ml 911 +/- 55 cpm, 1 072 +/- 259 cpm were significantly higher than that of control group 679 +/- 176 cpm, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Leptin can promote rat cutaneous fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro. This suggests that cutaneous fibroblast plays a role in leptin's promoting skin wound healing and it may be one of the main mechanisms by which leptin enhances skin wound healing.