Influence of hydrogen sulfide in p38MAPK signaling pathway on rat hepatic stellate cell apoptosis

Objective To investigate the influence of hydrogen sulfide in p38 MAPK signaling pathway on rat hepatic stellate cells(HSC) apoptosis and the changes of phospho-P38,Caspase-3 protein. Methods Control group(HSC-T6 plus 10% fetal bovine serum containing DMEM medium),Dimethyl sulfoxide group(DMSO was added based on control group,final concentration for 0. 1%),Sodium Hydrosulfide group(Sodium Hydrosulfide was added based on control group,final concentration for 50 μmol/L),SB group(SB203580 was added based on Dimethyl sulfoxide group,final concentration for 75 μmol/L),SB with Sodium Hydrosulfide group were set up in this study. The apoptotic rate was detected by Hoechst 33342,the expression of phosphorylated p38MAPK(P-p38MAPK) and Caspase-3 protein level were determined by Western blotting. Results Compared with control group,the apoptotic rate of HSC-T6 cells in SB203580 group and SB with Sodium Hydrosulfide group was increased(P 0. 05),the levels of P-p38 and Caspase-3positive expression in SB with Sodium Hydrosulfide group were significantly increased(P 0. 01); Compared with SB with Sodium Hydrosulfide group,the apoptotic rate of HSC-T6 cells in SB group and SB with Sodium Hydrosulfide group was increased(P 0. 01),the expression of P-p38 MAPK protein was decreased(P 0. 01); the level of Caspase-3positive expression in SB with Sodium Hydrosulfide group was more than SB group(P 0. 05). Conclusion Hydrogen sulfide could enhance the expression of p38 MAPK and Caspase-3 protein and make SB203580 induced HSC-T6 cells apoptosis,the mechanism of action could be related to phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and activation of Caspase-3.