The effects of leptin, in concentrations seen in obesity, on collagen production and turnover
in non-immortalized human hepatic stellate cell (HSC), were unknown. The profibrogenic
effects of leptin in these cells were studied. Hepatic stellate cells were obtained from
resected livers. Collagen I/III gene expression and protein production were measured by
quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide
gel electrophoresis, respectively. The signal transduction pathways involved were evaluated …