Mechanism Of Matrine On Apoptosis Of Rat Hepatic Stellate Cell In Vitro

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of matrine on apoptosis of rat Hepatic Stellate Cell line-99(rHSC-99) in vitro and the changes of never growth factor(NGF),the low affinity receptor of NGF (p75) ,nuclear factor-KappB and caspase-3 and the relation of these factors and apoptosis.Methods:HSC line rHSC-99 was incubated with matrine of different concentration of 0.12mg/ml,0.24mg/ml,0.48mg/ml for 24h. The apoptosis was detected byTerminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL ).RT-PCR and immuocytochemistry were used to detect mRNA and protein of NGF,p75, NF-κB and caspase-3 of rHSC-99.Results: Administration of 0.12mg/ml—0.48mg/ml matrine could significantly induce rHSC-99 apoptosis in dose-dependent of manner. The ratio of rHSC-99 apoptosis was at peak in 0.48mg/m(lP<0.01). mRNA and protein expression of NGF,p75 and caspase-3 of different concentration matrine treated rHSC-99 were increased in dose-dependent of manner and it was at peak for administration of 0.24mg/ml matrine(P<0.01).But protein expression of NF-κB of different concentration matrine treated rHSC-99 was decreased in dose-dependentof manner and it was at the lowest for administration of 0.48mg/ml matrine(P<0.01).Conclusions:Matrine can significantly induce the apoptosis of rHSC-99;NGF/p75 may be related to rHSC-99 apoptosis induced by matrine ;The pathway of NGF/p75 activited can down-regulate expression of NF-κB and up-regulate expression of caspase-3,which is one of the mechanisms of rHSC-99 apoptosis.