Objective: To observe the effect of ligand of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) 15d-PGJ2 on the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and to study the role played by PPAR gamma during the process of HSC activation.
Methods: By using RT-PCR and cell culture, we investigated the effects of 5 micro mol/L and 10 micro mol/L 15d-PGJ2 on culture-activated HSC and on PDGF-induced HSC proliferation, production of extracellular matrix and expression of chemokines.
Results: The expression of alpha-SMA was significantly suppressed by 5mumol/L 15d-PGJ2, and the expression of PPAR gamma was significantly higher in the 15d-PGJ2 treated group than in the untreated group (0.64+/-0.03 vs 0.09+/-0.01, t=36.0517, P<0.01); PDGF-induced HSC proliferation was dose-dependently suppressed by 15d-PGJ2; the expressions of PPAR gamma in 5 micro mol/L and also in 10 micro mol/L 15d-PGJ2 plus PDGF pre-treated group increased much more than those in the PDGF-treated group (0.03+/-0.02 vs 0.60+/-0.03, t=42.6616, P<0.01 and 0.03+/-0.02 vs 0.69+/-0.04, t=33.83, P<0.01); the expressions of alpha-SMA, alpha 1 (I)-collagen and MCP-1 were suppressed.
Conclusion: Activation of PPAR gamma can modulate pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory roles of HSC and the increased expression of PPAR gamma may become a new target for antifibrosis.