Effects of N-acetylcysteine on expression of leptin and type I collangen in cultured rat hepatic stellate cells

AIM:To study the effects of N-acetylcysteine on the proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) and the expression variation of leptin and type Ⅰ collagen.METHODS:HSCs were seeded at a density of 1×105 cells/mL per well in 96-well plates,which were grouped as follows:NACⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ groups(the concentration of NAC in incubation was 10,20,40 mmol/L respectively);Normal saline(NS) was added in the control group.The incubation liquid was extracted after cultured 48 h and was frozen at-20 ℃.Leptin and the synthesis of type Ⅰ collagen were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and the HSC proliferation was measured by MTT assay.RESULTS:The average absorbance of NAC Ⅲ was signficantly lower than that of the control group(P0.05).The average type Ⅰ collagen in each NAC group was significantly lower that of the control's(P0.01).CONCLUSION:HSC proliferation is decreased and the secretion of leptin and type Ⅰ collagen is inhibited after NAC pretreatment.