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.