AIM: To explore the effects of endothelin-1(ET-1) on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) DNA uptake, DNA synthesis, collagen synthesis and secretion, inward whole-cell calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) as well as the blocking effect of verapamil on ET-1-stimulated release of inward calcium (Ca2+) of HSC in vitro.METHODS: Rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated and cultivated. 3H-TdR and 3H-proline incorporation used for testing DNA uptake and synthesis, collagen synthesis and secretion of HSCs cultured in vitro; Fluorescent calciumindicator Fura-2/AM was used to measure [Ca2+]i inward HSCs.RESULTS: ET-1 at the concentration of 5×10-8 mol/L,caused significant increase both in HSC DNA synthesis(2 247±344 cpm, P＜0.05) and DNA uptake (P＜0.05) whencompared with the control group. ET-1 could also increase collagen synthesis (P＜0.05 vs control group) and collagen secretion (P＜0.05 vs control group). Besides, inward HSC [Ca2+]i reached a peak concentration (422±98 mol/L, P＜0.001)at 2 min and then went down slowly to165±51 mol/L(P＜0.01) at 25 min from resting state (39±4 mol/L)aftertreated with ET-1. Verapamil (5 mol/L) blocked ET-1activated [Ca2+]i inward HSCs compared with control group(P＜0.05). Fura-2/AM loaded HSC was suspended in no Ca2+ buffer containing 1 mol/L EGTA, 5 min later, 10-8 mol/Lof ET-1 was added, [Ca2+]i inward HSCs rose from restingstate to peak 399±123 mol/L, then began to come downby the time of 20 min. It could also raise [Ca2+]i inwardHSCs even without Ca2+ in extracellular fluid, and had a remarkable dose-effect relationship(P＜0.05). Meanwhile, verapamil could restrain the action of ET-1(P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: Actions of ET-1 on collagen metabolism of HSCs may depend on the transportation of inward wholecell calcium.