Angiotensin II stimulates the synthesis of nucleic acid, protein and collagen of cultured hepatic stellate cells in rats

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the effects of different doses of angiotensin II (AngII) on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and collagen synthesis in rats. METHODS:  Pronase E and collagen I were used to isolate the HSC, and 3H-TdR,3H-Leu and 3H-pro incorporation methods were used to evaluate the effects of the different doses of AngII on HSC DNA, protein and proline synthesis. RESULTS:  It was found that 10-9−10−6 mol/L AngII could increase the 3H-TdR incorporation rate of the HSC (P < 0.05), but only 10−6 mol/L and 10−7 mol/L AngII could significantly increase the 3H-Leu incorporation rate of the HSC (P < 0.01); 10−9−10−6 mol/L AngII caused a significant increment of the 3H-pro incorporation rate of the HSC in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS:  The appropriate dose of AngII may promote HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis.