HEPATIC STELLATE CELL CONTRACTION IS INHIBITED BY LIPO-PROSTAGLANDIN E-1 IN-VITRO

Prostaglandin E-1 (PGE(1)) has been reported to have, experimentally a nd clinically, a protective effect against liver damage. This effect m ay result from the relaxation of hepatic stellate cells, whose contrac tion induces vasoconstriction of hepatic sinusoids. However, prostagla ndins are unstable and a new drug delivery system is necessary to admi nister a sufficient amount of prostaglandin to achieve a protective ef fect in the liver. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of lipo-prostaglandin E-1 (lipo-PGE(1)) which has a novel drug deliver y system on the stellate cell contraction induced by endothelin-1 in v itro. Lipo-PGE(1) inhibited endothelin-1-induced stellate cell contrac tion in concentrations of 10, 30 and 50 ng/mL. Therefore, lipo-PGE(1) may show a cytoprotective effect in the liver through the relaxation o f stellate cells and an increase in the hepatic sinusoidal blood flow.