[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 (3)H-thymidine incorporation, and the collagen synthesis by (3)H-Proline. The changes of HSC cycle were analyzed by FCM. RESULTS: At dose of 10(-4) mol/L, ALD increased the incorporation of (3)H-TdR and (3)H-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.

Clinical and experimental study of effect of Raondix Salviae Militiorrhiza and other blood-activating and stasis-eliminating Chinese herbs on hemodynamics of portal hypertension.

AIM:To study the effects of Radix Salviae Militiorrhiza (RSM), other blood-activating and stasis-eliminating Chinese herbs on hemodynamics of portal hypertension.METHODS:Portal pressure of cirrhotic dogs after chronic common bile duct ligation was measured directly; portal blood flow in patients with liver cirrhosis were detected by ultrasound Doppler.RESULTS:After administration of RSM and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) by intravenous infusion in cirrhosis dogs, the portal venous pressure (Ppv), wedge hepatic venous pressure (WHVP), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), were significantly decreased (P < 0.05-0.01), but the mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the heart rate (HR) remained unchanged. When nifedipine was used, Ppv, WHVP, MAP and HR were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the MVPG unchanged (P > 0.05). After administration of RSM, RSM+nifedipine and RSM+Hirudin+Nifedpin for 10-12 weeks, the diameter of portal vein (Dpv), spleen vein (Dsv), the portal venous flow (Qpv) and splenic venous flow (Qsv) in patients with hepatic cirrhosis were significantly lowered (P < 0.05-0.01), and the effect of RAS was weaker.CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of decreasing Ppv by Chinese herbs RSM, RAS, etc. as compared with nifedipine, demonstrated that the Chinese herbs were slower in action than that of nifedipine, but more long-lasting and without side effects. Hence, long-term administration of Chinese herbs, would be more beneficial.