Prostacyclin administration suppresses the increase in hepatic levels of COL1A (I) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNAs in the rat treated with carbon tetrachloride

Abstract Northern analysis using total RNAs from the component cells of normal rat liver indicated that COL1A(I) mRNA is present in fat-storing cells (Ito cells) and sinusoidal endothelial cells. A fraction for Kupffer cells also contained this mRNA. When CCl 4 was given, COL1A(I) mRNA was increased in a factor of 1.5 in the fractions of these component cells. After 48 h of the drug administration, hepatocytes appeared to possess over 60% of liver COL1A(I) mRNA, although in normal hepatocytes its level was below the range detectable by our procedures. Under this injured condition of liver, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA level was elevated, while activity of this enzyme was lowered by 50% of the control value. All the changes were obviously suppressed by the simultaneous administration of prostacyclin.