Inhibitory effect of angiotensin TT receptor antagonist on hepatic stellate cell activation in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

• Published in: 世界胃肠病学杂志（英文版） Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 322 - 326
• Main Authors: Shiro Yokohama, Yoshihiko Tokusashi, Kimihide Nakamura, Yosui Tamaki, Satoshi Okamoto, Mituyoshi Okada, Kazunobu Aso, Takenao Hasegawa, Masaru Aoshima, Naoyuki Miyokawa, Masakazu Haneda, Masashi Yoneda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Second Department of Medicine,Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa, Japan%Health Care Administration Center, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan%Department of Gastroenterology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu, Japan 2006
• Subjects: Hepatic fibrosis; NAFLD; Losartan; HSC; NASH
• ISSN: 1007-9327

R5; AIM: To investigate the efficacy of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation in the patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).METHODS: Seven patients with NASH were prescribed losartan, a selective angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor antagonist (50 mg/d) for 48 wk. Liver biopsies were performed both at the entry and end of the study in all patients. Quiescent and activated HSCs were identified by double immunostaining using anti-p75 and α-smooth muscle actin antibodies, and the number of each phenotype was counted. Similarly, the liver specimens obtained from the eight patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) were also examined as controls.RESULTS: In NASH hepatic tissues, activated HSCs were dominantly distributed as compared with those in NAFL.The 48-wk losartan treatment induced a remarkable decrease in activated HSCs and a mild increase in quiescent phenotypes.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the crucial involvement of HSCs in anti-fibrotic effect of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist on patients with NASH.