Effects of Pioglitazone on Collagen Synthesis in Cardiac Fibroblasts of Rat.

[Objective]To evaluate the effects of pioglitazone hydrochloride on collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts(CFs) isolated from Wistar rat and the activity of NO-NOS. [Methods]Isolated and cultured CFs were used as experiment model. Collagen content of CFs culture supernatant was estimated by hydroxyproline chromatography. Nitrate enzyme reverting method was also adopted to evaluate NO content. NOS activity was estimated by spectrophotometer. [Results]①Collagen content of CFs culture supernatant(0.21±0.01、0.19±0.01、0.18±0.01、0.17±0.01) was decreased by pioglitazone in a concentration-dependent manner except 1×10~ -7 mol/L group.②Collagen content of CFs culture supernatant (1.54±0.08、1.44±0.05、1.39±0.12) by 5×10~ -6 PIO in 24 h、48 h、72 h group were significantly lower than those of control group(1.84±0.04、1.88±0.16、2.41±0.01, P0.01).③NO content and NOS activity of pioglitazone group in CFs culture supernatent [( 221.7±35.3) μmol/L, (15.38±1.82) U/mL, respectively)] were significantly higher than those of control group[ (112.1±8.9)μmol/L,(11.24±0.49 )U/mL , respectively,( P0.001)].[Conclusion]Insulin-sensitizer Pioglitazone Hydrochloride could inhibit collagen content of cardiac fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner in vitro. Up-regulating the activity of NOS may take part in signal pathway.