[Effect of anti-fibrosis compound contained serum on procollagen Type I and IV, matrix metalloproteinase and its tissue inhibitor-1 gene expression in HSC-LI90 cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Anti-fibrosis Compound contained serum (AFCS) on procollagen type I and IV (ProC-I and ProC-IV), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) gene expression in hepatic stellate cell line LI90 (HSC-LI90).
METHODS: AFCS was prepared by gastric infusing different dosage (0.5 g/kg, 2.0 g/kg and 4.0 g/kg) of Anti-fibrosis Compound Recipe to rats. After HSC-LI90 cells were exposed to AFCS for 48 hrs, levels of ProC-I, ProC-IV, gene expression of MMP-2, MMP membrane type 1 (MT1-MMP) and TIMP-1 in the cells were detected by Northern blot, and gelatinase activity of MMP-2 was measured by zymography.
RESULTS: AFCS of different concentrations could inhibit ProC-I and ProC-IV and TIMP-1 gene expression (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), increase MT1-MMP gene expression (P < 0.01), but it showed no effect on gene expression and activity of MMP-2 (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: Anti-fibrosis Compound Recipe has anti-liver fibrosis action, its effects in inhibiting TIMP-1 gene expression of HSC-LI90 cells and promoting degradation of collagen might be one of the mechanisms of the action.