ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the effect of endotoxin on liver fibrosis and further define the role of hepatocytes in production of fibronectin in primary liver cell culture by endotoxin.METHODS:After isolation and seeding of hepatocytes, the obtained cells were added to various doses (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20mg/L) of LPS treated culture media. The cells were collected and counted at various periods (0, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120h).The concentrations of fibronectin were tested by electrophoresis. RESULTS:The fibronectin levels tended to increase with prolongation of culture time. There was a sharp increase after 72h in 10 or 15 LPS treated group. The peak level of fibronectin was above 20mg/L. However, cell proliferation was inhibited during the course.Cell number of untreated control group (4.6 ± 0.1 10(6)) was about three fold that of 20 LPS treated group (1.6 ± 0.2 10(6)) at 120h.CONCLUSION:Hepatocytes have a potent ability to produce fibronectin stimulated by endotoxin, suggesting that hepatocytes might participate in the process of liver fibrosis.
