Background Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a very important vasoactive peptide that acts upon hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are major effector cells in hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of Ang II and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (AT(1)RA) on the proliferation, contraction and collagen synthesis in HSCs. Methods HSC-T6 rat hepatic stellate cell line was studied. The proliferation of the HSC cells was evaluated by MTT colorimetric assay while HSC DNA synthesis was measured by H-3-thymidine incorporation. The effects of angiotensin II and AT(1)RA on HSCs contraction were studied by analysis of the contraction of the collagen lattice. Cell culture media were analyzed by RT-PCR to detect secretion of collagein I (Col I), collagen III (Col III) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. HSC was harvested to measure collagen I, collagen III and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA expression. Results Ang II ((1x10(-10)-1x10(-4))mol/L) stimulated DNA synthesis and proliferation in HSCs compared with untreated control cells. AT(1)RA inhibited angiotensin II induced proliferation of HSCs. A linear increase in the contractive area of collagen lattice correlated with the concentration of angiotensin II (1x10(-9)-1x10(-5) mol/L) and with time over 48 hours. AT(1)RA blocks angiotensin II induced contraction of collagen lattice. Col I, Col III and TGF-beta 1 levels of the Ang II group were higher than those of control group and this increase was downregulated by AT(1)RA. The mRNAexpressions of Col I, Col III and TIMP-1 were higher in HSCs from the Ang II group than the control group and downregulated by AT(1)RA. Conclusions Angiotensin II increased DNA synthesis and proliferation of HSCs in a dose-dependent manner, stimulated the contraction of HSCs dose- and time-dependently. Angiotensin also promoted excretion of Col I, Col III and TGF-beta 1 levels and stimulated Col I, Col III and TIMP-1 expression in HSCs. Angiotensin acts via the angiotensin II receptor because all of these effects are blocked by angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist.