AIM:To study the effect of lipid (triglyceride and very low-density lipopro tein, VLDL) on proliferation and activation of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC).METHODS:HSC were isolated and cultured from liver of Wistar rats by in situ perfusion with pronase and collagenase and density gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz.HSC proliferation was examined with MTT colorimetric assay.RESULT: Triglyceride of had a promoting effect on proliferation of HSC (P< 0.05), 25, 50, 100 and 200mg/L had no effects (P >0.05),but 400mg/L had an inhibiting effect (P <0.01). VLDL of 6.25 and 12.5mg/L had no effect on proliferation of HSC (P > 0.05), but increased concentration of VLDL could promote the HSC proliferation (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Lipid had an effect on proliferation of HSC. Triglyceride and VLDL may promote HSC proliferation and may be associated with fatty liver and hepatic fibrogenesis.