AIM: To investigate the effect of IH764-3 on the apoptosis of H 2O 2-stimulated
hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) and the alteration
of
focal adhesion kinase (FAK). METHODS: The proliferation of HSCs was examined by direct cell count and the apoptosis was determined by Annexin-V/PI labeling, while the morphological change was observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, FAK mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: H 2O 2 promoted the proliferation of HSCs. IH764-3 induced the apoptosis of HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. The HSC apoptotic rates of different groups were 6.35%,9.28%,15.10%,19.69%,respectively, after treated with different concentrations of IH764-3 for 48 h while H 2O 2 group showed 2.30%. In 30 mg/L group, the apoptosis rates were 6.73%?10.34%?15.10% for the indicated time periods(12 h, 24 h, 48 h). In the presence of IH764-3, FAK mRNA decreased. The FAK mRNA reduction began at 2 h after adding IH764-3. CONCLUSION: IH764-3 induced the apoptosis of HSCs. Down-regulating the expression of FAK mRNA may be one of its mechanisms.