Effects of aldosterone and spironolactone on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of aldosterone and spironolactone on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells. Methods Rat HSC were incubated with aldosterone or spironolactone,an aldosterone receptor antagonist at different concentrations. The proliferation of HSC was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation,and the collagen synthesis by 3H-Proline. The changes of HSC cycle were analyzed by FCM. Results At dose of 10 -4 mol/L,ALD increased the incorporation of 3H-TdR and 3H-Pro( P 0.05),but didn′t at the lower doses. Spironolactone significantly inhibited HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis. The effective concentration was among 10 -4 mol/L～10 -6 mol/L,and in dose-dependent manner. The percentage of G_1 phase of the cell cycle was significantly increased,and the cell proliferation suppression of spironolactone is associated with cell arrest in G_1 phase. Co-stimulation with aldosterone and spironolactone did not have significant effects on HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis compared with the control group. Conclusion The proliferation and collagen synthesis of HSC might be enhanced by ALD at higher concentration, but was inhibited by spironolactone.