Effects of vitamin E on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat hepatic stellate cells treated with IL-2 or TNF-alpha.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of vitamin E on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat hepatic stellate cells treated with interleukin-2 (IL-2) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).


METHODS
Hepatic stellate cells were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats by using modified Friedman's method. Using the isolated cells cultured and treated with IL-2 or TNF-alpha, we studied the effects of vitamin E on their proliferation and collagen synthesis through an (3)H-thymidine and (3)H-proline incorporation assay, as well as through observation of these cells under a contrary phase microscope.


RESULTS
Adding IL-2 increased the both proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells. Their proliferation was also increased by the addition of TNF-alpha, although it decreased collagen synthesis. Vitamin E had marked inhibitory effects on the ability of cells treated with IL-2 or TNF-alpha to reproduce or synthesize collagen.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin E can inhibit the proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells. It is possible that vitamin E affects liver fibrosis through these activities.
Zhan
Yutao
Y
Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China. yutaozhan@263.net
Wang
Yu
Y
Wei
Lai
L
Chen
Hongsong
H
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014810:Vitamin E; D003094:Collagen