EFFECTS OF TETRANDRINE AND CHLORPROMAZINE ON SYNTHESIS OF COLLAGEN AND HYALURONIC-ACID IN CULTURED HUMAN LUNG FIBROBLASTS

To study the effects of tetrandrine (Tet) and chlorpromazine (Chl) on synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA) in cultured human lung fibroblasts (HLF). METHODS: The synthesis of collagen and HA was assessed by measuring the incorporation of [H-3] proline and radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Both Tet (5-80 mu mol L(-1)) and Chi (10-40 mu mol L(-1)) diminished the collagen synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. The suppression was aggravated at 36-48 h. The HA content in the supernatant of culture also decreased gradually with the increasing dosage of Tet or Chl after 24-h exposure. There was no obvious toxic effect of Tet on HLF cells at 5-20 mu mol L(-1) CONCLUSION: Tet 5-20 mu mol L(-1) decreased the production of collagen and HA without obvious toxity on HLF, suggesting that Tet could be a hopeful anti-fibrosis drug.