Effect of antihypertensive agents on stellate cells during liver regeneration in rats.
BACKGROUND
Although most studies have focused on the hepatocytes, all the hepatic cells participate in the regenerative process, among them the stellate cells. The stellate cells are mesenchymal cells involved in local neurotransmission and paracrine regulation of several liver functions. Acute hepatic tissue loss promotes the proliferation and activation of stellate cells from a quiescent state to myofibroblast-like cells.


OBJECTIVE
Investigate the effects of antihypertensive agents on the stellate cell population during the liver regenerative phenomenon in rats.


METHODS
Adult male Wistar rats received lisinopril, losartan, bradykinin, or saline solution in a proportional volume, intraperitoneally, before and after 70% partial hepatectomy. Animals from the experimental and saline groups were sacrificed at 36 hours after partial hepatectomy. The alpha-smooth muscle actin labelled stellate cells population was counted in the periportal and pericentral zones of the liver specimen.


RESULTS
The labelled stellate cells were more numerous in the control group both in the periportal and pericentral zones at 36 hours after partial hepatectomy than at the other times. The population of stellate cells was significantly lower in the losartan group and higher in the bradykinin and lisinopril groups than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that losartan can inhibit and bradykinin and lisinopril can stimulate the stellate cell population during liver regeneration in rats. These cells synthesize several substances to stimulate liver regeneration.
Ramalho
Leandra N Z
LN
Departments of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeir o Preto, University of S o Paulo, Ribeir o Preto, SP, Brazil.
Zucoloto
Sérgio
S
Ramalho
Fernando S
FS
Castro-e-Silva
Orlando de
Od
Corrêa
Fernando M A
FM
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D017706:Lisinopril / Q000494:pharmacology; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D017706:Lisinopril; D019808:Losartan; D001920:Bradykinin