Effect of acetaldehyde on collagen synthesis by fat-storing cells isolated from rats treated with carbon tetrachloride

- In an attempt to elucidate the role of fat-storing cells (FSCs) in alcoholic liver fibrosis, we examined the effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on collagen synthesis by FSCs isolated from CCl4-treated or normal rats. Isolated FSCs from normal rats showed characteristic lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. FSCs from CCl4-treated rats showed an abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and a small number of lipid droplets. Collagen synthesis by the cells from CCl4-treated rats was 4–5-fold enhanced as compared with untreated rats. Though ethanol had an inhibitory effect on collagen synthesis by FSCs, acetaldehyde stimulated collagen production by the cells from CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis, whereas collagen synthesis by the cells from normal rats was not influenced by acetaldehyde. From these results, FSCs are morphologically and functionally changed in liver fibrosis, and the transitional state of FSCs might be important in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver fibrosis.