[Experimental study on effects of endothelin in the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human scar-derived fibroblasts].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of endothelin (ET) in the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human scar-derived fibroblasts and the modulation of its antagonists such as nitric oxide (NO), tetrandrine (Tet).


METHODS
With the cultured fibroblasts from the scarring tissue, the cell proliferation was determined by [3H]-TdR incorporation, while the collagen synthesis was evaluated by [3H]-proline incorporation.


RESULTS
The ET-1 was significantly increasing the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human scar-derived fibroblasts. The values of [3H]-TdR absorption in the 2.5 ng/ml, 25 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml of ET-1 groups were 1.8 times, 4 times and 4.9 times more than in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01), while the values of the [3H]-proline incorporation were 1.1 times, 3.1 times and 3.8 times respectively (P < 0.01). The fibroblasts, treated with 50 micrograms/ml of S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine(SNAP), were no detectable effect on the basal level of DNA synthesis, but produced decreasing effect on the [3H]-TdR absorption (the rate of inhibition was 22.89%, P < 0.05). It was found that the SNAP inhibited the [3H]-proline incorporation in cultured fibroblasts, but the rate of [3H]-proline incorporation induced by ET-1 was unaltered. The Tet with 3 micrograms/ml, in which does not inhibit the basal level of DNA synthesis, was significantly decreasing the collagen synthesis and decreasing the ET-mediated DNA synthesis (the rate of inhibition was 33.21% (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the ET can obviously increase the proliferation and collagen synthesis of human scar-derived fibroblasts, but it can be partially antagonized by NO and Tet.
Liu
De-wu
DW
Burn Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330006, China.
Li
Guo-hui
GH
D044182:Benzylisoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016232:Endothelins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology
D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D016232:Endothelins; C009438:tetrandrine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; D003094:Collagen; D004247:DNA; D011392:Proline