Abstract
AIM: To investigate the effect of tetrandrine (Tet) and verapamil (Ver) on liver fibrosis by evaluating their effects on the growth and proliferation of fibroblasts.
METHODS: Flow cytometry and imaging analysis were used to study the effects of combined and individual treatment of Tet and Ver on fibroblastic proliferation in vitro. Untreated control cells were used for comparison.
RESULTS: Compared to untreated fibroblasts, those treated with both Tet and Ver showed higher percentages of cells in the G1 and G2+M phase in the cell cycle of 3T6 fibroblasts (P < 0.01) and markedly elevated protein content, while those treated with Tet only showed significantly lower intracellular RNA content (1.5-2.0 μg, P < 0.01) and those treated with Ver only showed lower intracellular DNA content (15-20 μg, P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: The inhibitory action of Tet and Ver on fibroblastic growth and proliferation might be responsible for the antifibrotic effects of these medications in liver fibrosis.
Keywords: Tetrandrine/pharmacology, Verapamil/pharmacology, Fibroblasts/drug effects, Liver cirrhosis/drug therapy
Footnotes
Original title: China National Journal of New Gastroenterology (1995-1997) renamed World Journal of Gastroenterology (1998-)
S- Editor: Filipodia L- Editor: Jennifer E- Editor: Liu WX