Effects of norepinephrine on hepatic stellate cells apoptosis in vitro

Objective To investigate the effects of NE on hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)apoptosis.Methods After NE and the antagonists of adrenoceptor subtypes were administered to HSCs,MTT method was used to evaluate cell proliferation.TUNEL assay and flow cytometry(FCM)were used to identify cell apoptosis.Results(1)Compared with control group,NE at concentrations of 1、10 and 100 μmol/L induced HSCs proliferation in a time-dependent manner;The action of NE at concentrations of 10 μmol/L reached the peak(0.262±0.085 vs 0.048±0.055,P0.05).(2)After exposure of HSCs to NE at concentration of 10 μmol/L for 24 h,apoptosis rates decreased significantly as compared with control group(6.60±3.05 vs 12.60±4.76 by TUNEL,P0.05;2.29±0.22 vs 3.06±0.57 by FCM,P0.05).(3)The antagonists of adrenoceptor subtypes,especially of α-and β2-adrenoceptor,reversed the apoptosis greatly.Conclusion Sympathetic neurotransmitter,NE,could induce HSCs proliferation and inhibit HSCs apoptosis,mainly through α-and β2-adrenoreceptor.