ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of hirudin on the function of human hyperplastic scar fibroblasts (HSFBs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HSFBs were cultured in vitro. Hirudin solution in the concentration of 1, 10, and 50 kU/L was respectively added into DMEM culture medium to form 1, 10, and 50 kU/L hirudin groups, with 9 wells in each group. HSFBs cultured without hirudin were set up as control group. Cell inhibition rate, secretion level of TGF-beta1 from cells, and expression levels of mRNA of type I and III precollagen were determined at 24, 48, and 72 h after culture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Inhibition rates of HSFBs growth was respectively (29.3 +/- 0.9)%, (30.1 +/- 0.3)%, and (45.2 +/- 1.9)% when cultured with 10 kU/L hirudin for 24, 48, and 72 hs, which were higher than those in control group [(0.0 +/- 0.0)%, P < 0.05]. There was statistically significant difference between control group and 1 and 50 kU/L hirudin groups in the inhibition rates of HSFBs at some time points (P < 0.05). Secretion level of TGF-beta1 of HSFBs in 1, 10, 50 kU/L hirudin groups was respectively (228.5 +/- 1.8), (210.5 +/- 11.1), and (168.5 +/- 14.1) pg/mL when cultured for 48 hs, of which the last 2 figures were significantly lower than that of control group [(265.0 +/- 1.5) pg/mL, P < 0.05]. Hirudin in the concentration of 10 and 50 kU/L could inhibit the expression of mRNA of type I and III precollagen in HSFBs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hirudin solution in the concentration of 10 and 50 kU/L can inhibit the proliferation of HSFBs and secretion of TGF-beta1 and collagen in certain degree.</p>