Background Somafostatin receptors (SSTRs) have been sug gested to involve in mediating the effect of somatostatin on hepatic stellate ce lls (HSCs) in an activation-dependent way. We, therefore, try to investigate th e relationship between expression of SSTRs and activation of rat HSCs.Methods HSCs were isolated from rats by in situ perfusion and single-step density gradient centrifugation.SSTR 1-5 mRNA levels in the differentiated first passage HSCs were detected by means of a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. On the other hand, hepatic fibrosis was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by carbon tetrachloride intoxication, and the expression of SSTR 1-5 in normal as well as fibrotic livers was measured by immunohistochemical staining.Results SSTR mRNA and SSTR could not be found in freshly isolated rat HSCs or normal rat liver. However, SSTR 1-3 mRNA appeared as HSCs became wholly activated, and could also be identified on the membrane of activated HSCs in the perisinusoid space, fibrous septa, etc.Conclusion The expression of SSTR 1-3 in the rat HSC is closely related to its activation. This may reflect one of the main negative regulation mechanisms in the course of HSC activation. Background Somafostatin receptors (SSTRs) have been sug gested to involve in mediating the effect of somatostatin on hepatic stellate ce lls (HSCs) in an activation-dependent way. We, therefore, try to investigate th e relationship between expression of SSTRs and activation of rat HSCs. Methods HSCs were isolated from rats by in situ perfusion and single-step density gradient centrifugation. STR 1-5 mRNA levels were detected by means of a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. On the other hand, hepatic fibrosis was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by carbon tetrachloride intoxication, and the expression of SSTR 1-5 in normal as well as fibrotic livers was measured by immunohistochemical staining. Results SSTR mRNA and SSTR could not be found in freshly isolated rat HSCs or normal rat liver. However, SSTR 1-3 mRNA appeared as HSCs became exclusively activated, and could also be identified on the membrane of activated HSCs in the perisinusoid space, fibrous septa, etc. Conlusion The expression of SSTR 1-3 in the rat HSC is closely related to its activation. This may reflect one of the main negative regulation mechanisms in the course of HSC activation.