Objective      To determine the effect of vitamins E and C on the proliferation and increased expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induced by leptin.        Methods      Human HSCs were cultured

and then treated in precent or absent of leptin and/or vitamin C and E at different concentrations. Sulforhodamine B assay was performed to test proliferation of HSCs

the detection probe of reactive oxygen species (ROS) 2

7-dichlorfluorescein-diacetate was used to detect ROS

and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was to detect concentration of TIMP-1.       Results      Vitamin C at concentrations of 100

200 and 400 μmol/L resulted in statistical inhibition of proliferation of HSC induced by leptin compared with leptin group (P0.05)

so did vitamin E at concentrations of 80

160 and 320 μmol/L (P0.05). Combined the 2 agents at the highest concentrations had more inhibitory effect on HSC proliferation induced by leptin than they used alone (P0.05). At the same time

all the concentration groups resulted in significant inhibition in ROS and TIMP-1 productions induced by leptin (P0.05). Compared with single group

the highest concentrations combined group had more inhibitory effect in ROS and TIMP-1 productions (P0.05).        Conclusion      Anti-oxidant vitamins E and C may inhibit the proliferation and TIMP-1 production of HSCs by inhibiting oxidative stress induced by leptin.