[Effect of visfatin on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in rat hepatic stellate cells]

To investigate the effect of visfatin on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Culture-activated rat HSCs were incubated with visfatin under different dose (50, 100, 200 ng/mL) for 6, 12, 24 and 36 hours respectively. Total RNA were collected at each time point. FGF-2 mRNA expression was detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

The mRNA expression of FGF-2 was dose-dependently up-regulated in rat HSCs when incubated with 50, 100 and 200 ng/mL visfatin (1.71 +/- 0.34 vs. 1, 2.25 +/- 0.26 vs. 1, 3.25 +/- 0.29 vs. 1, P < 0.05, respectively). FGF-2 mRNA expression also increased after 100 ng/mL visfatin treatment for 12 hours (1.68 +/- 0.31 vs. 1, P < 0.05), and the mRNA levels were time-dependently elevated from 24 hours to 36 hours (2.25 +/- 0.26 vs. 1, 2.95 +/- 0.32 vs. 1, P < 0.05, respectively).

Visfatin could induce FGF-2 mRNA expression in rat HSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Visfatin might be involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.