Objective  To explore whether the anti-apoptotic effect of connective tissue growth factor on human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts is mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/PKB) signal pathway.   Methods  The cultured human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts were divided into three groups: control group

connective tissue growth factor (10 ng/ml) stimulated group

the group pretreated with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (10 μmol/L) and stimulated with connective tissue growth factor. Levels of phosphorylated PKB were examined by Western blotting in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts that were stimulated with connective tissue growth factor for 30 min. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis ratio of the cells.    Results  Compared with the control group

the apoptosis ratio of the connective tissue growth factor stimulated group decreased (P0.05) and the activation of PKB increased (P0.05). However

the apoptosis ratio of connective tissue growth factor stimulated group after the pretreatment of PI3K inhibitor LY294002 increased (P0.05)

and the activation of PKB remained as the control group.   Conclusion  It is proven that connective tissue growth factor can inhibit the apoptosis of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts through PI3K/PKB signaling pathway.