Effects of docosahexaenoic acid on large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

AIM：To investigate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BKCa) in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs)．METHODS：BKCa currents in individual PASMCs were recorded by patch-clamp technique in whole-cell configuration．Calcium sparks in PASMCs caused by DHA were recorded by confocal microscopy. RESULTS：DHA activated BKCa . BKCa current densities were (30.5±6.5)pA/pF,(59.4±5.8)pA/pF, (87.2±4.3)pA/pF and (117.3±7.1) pA/pF (P<0.01) with the addition of DHA at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L, respectively. Hypoxia inhibited BKCa currents in PASMCs, but this inhibition was reversed by DHA (10 μmol/L). DHA (10 μmol/L) induced an increase in ［Ca2+］i with a maximal increase rate of (71.9±4.1)%. CONCLUSION：DHA activates BKCa in rat PASMCs, leading to the vasodilation of pulmonary arteries.     

Protein kinase A regulates small-conductance calcium-activated potassium type 2 channel in chronic atrial fibrillation patients

AIM：To investigate the alteration of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium type 2 (SK2) channel currents in atrial myocytes from atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, and the relationship between protein kinase A (PKA) and SK2 channel. METHODS：Right auricular tissues were obtained from the patients undergoing open-heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Single atrial myocytes were isolated by modified enzymatic dissociation method. The SK2 channel currents in the isolated human atrial myocytes were recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The alteration of SK2 channel currents and the regulation of SK2 channel by PKA were compared between sinus rhythm (SR) group and AF group. The total protein and PKA levels in human atrial tissues were detected by BCA assay and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS：The SK2 channel current densities and the proportion of SK2 channel currents in the integrated inward currents were significantly increased in AF group (all P<0.05 vs SR group). PKA-selective inhibitor H-89 reduced SK2 channel current densities and the proportion of SK2 channel currents in the integrated inward currents in both SR and AF groups, with larger reduction in AF group (all P<0.05 vs SR group). The PKA level was significantly decreased in AF atrial tissues (P<0.05 vs SR group). CONCLUSION: The increase in SK2 channel currents underlies the occurrence and maintenance of AF. PKA-dependent regulation may be involved in the remodeling of SK2 channel in both SR and AF human atrial myocytes, with a more powerful effect in AF.     

Role of ERK on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells in chronic asthmatic rats

AIM: To investigate the roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) signaling pathway on regulating proliferation of airway smooth muscle by observing the expression of ERK in airway smooth muscle(ASM) in chronic asthmatic rats.METHODS: Airway remodeling was detected in chronic asthmatic rats by using image analysis system. The expressions of ERK and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in lung tissue from chronic asthmatic rats were observed by immuocytochemistry staining. The expressions of ERK1/2, p ERK1/2 and PCNA were detected in airway smooth muscle (ASM) by immunofluorescence double staining with confocal microscopy, and the expressions of protein or mRNA of ERK and PCNA in ASM were also detected by immunoblotting and hybridization in situ,respectively.RESULTS: The thickening of smooth muscle and structural remodeling in airway were observed in chronic asthmatic rats by image analysis. The enhanced expressions of ERK and PCNA appeared obviously increased in same lung tissue and the expressions of protein or mRNA of ERK and PCNA were significantly increased in ASM.CONCLUSION: ERK signal pathway might be an important pathway on regulating cell proliferation of ASM resulting in asthmatic airway remodeling.     

Effect of TRPC6 on PDGF-induced proliferation of rat airway smooth muscle cells

AIM:To investigate the role of canonical transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6) in the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). METHODS:Rat ASMCs were cultured by enzyme digestion and tissue adhesion. The method of indirect immunofluorescence was applied to identify the ASMCs and to detect the expression of TRPC6 in ASMCs. The proliferation of ASMCs was determined by CCK-8 assay. The mRNA expression of TRPC6 was tested by real-time PCR. The protein expression of TRPC6 was analyzed by Western blotting. The influence of TRPC6 blocker at different concentrations on the proliferation of ASMCs was measured by CCK-8 assay. RESULTS:The results of immunofluorescence indicated that TRPC6 expression in ASMCs was positive. PDGF at concentration of 20 μg/L induced the proliferation of ASMCs compared with control group (P<0.05). When ASMCs were treated with both PDGF and different concentrations of TRPC6 blocker SKF96365, the proliferation of ASMCs was attenuated in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners as compared with the cells treated with PDGF alone (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of TRPC6 in PDGF group was significantly increased (P<0.05) after ASMCs were treated with PDGF for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. The protein level of TRPC6 in PDGF group was significantly increased after ASMCs were treated with PDGF for 24 h and 48 h compared with control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of TRPC6 at mRNA and protein levels is most possibly related to the proliferation of ASMCs induced by PDGF. Therefore, TRPC6 is involved in the proliferation of ASMCs.     

Effect of estrogen on the gene expression of caveolin-1 in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To assess the effect of estrogen on the gene expression of caveolin-1 in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: Wistar rats were ovariectomized and subjected to subcutaneous implantation of placebo pellets (OVX+V group) or estradiol pellets (OVX+E group). 2 weeks after implantation, the expression of caveolin-1 gene in endothelium-denuded aortic tissue was examined by RT-PCR. Furthermore, Northern blotting was used to analyze the mRNA expression of caveolin-1 in cultured rat VSMCs. RESULTS: RT-PCR showed that expression of caveolin-1 gene was significantly higher in OVX+E group than that in OVX+V group. Northern blot analysis showed that the mRNA expression of caveolin-1 was higher in VSMCs pretreated with 17β-estradiol (17β-E₂) than that in VSMCs without 17β-E₂ pretreatment. CONCLUSION: Estrogen up-regulates the gene expression of caveolin-1 in the vascular wall, partially indicating the cardiovascular effect of estrogen.     

Effects of p204 expression on expression of p21 and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in rats

AIM: To observe the effect of interferon-inducible protein 204 (p204) on the expression of p21 and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in rats. METHODS: Interferon alpha (IFN-α) and small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting p204 gene ( Ifi204 ) was used to intervene cultured VSMCs in vitro instantaneously, then the cell vitality was determined by MTT assay to reflect the cell proliferation. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of p204 and p21 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: In rat VSMCs, IFN-α induced the increase in the expression of p204 at mRNA and protein levels, reduced the cell vitality and the G₁/S phase transition, and up-regulated the expression of p21 at mRNA and protein levels. Transfection of Ifi204 siRNA restrained the expression of p204 and p21, increased the cell vitality and promoted the G₁/S phase transition. CONCLUSION: The expression of p204 restrains the proliferation of rat VSMCs, probably by activating the expression of p21.     

Farrerol inhibits nicotine-induced proliferation of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells by enhancing Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 expression

AIM:To study the effect of farrerol (Far) on nicotine-induced proliferation of rat pulmonary smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and further to explore its relationship with voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv) 1.5 and Kv2.1. METHODS:Firstly, the effect of nicotine on the proliferation of PASMCs was detected by cell counting method, and the optimal concentration of nicotine was selected. Primary cultured PASMCs were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control group, nicotine (1 μmol/L)group, nicotine (1 μmol/L) + Far (10^-6 mol/L, 10^-5 mol/L and 10^-4 mol/L) Far group. The activity of caspase-3 was measured by apoptosis kit, the cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, the apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Kv1.5 and Kv2.1, and apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS:Nicotine at 1 μmol/L increased the number of PASMCs to the maximum extent (P<0.01). Nicotine at 1 μmol/L significantly reduced the caspase-3 activity and enhanced the cell viability of the PASMCs (P<0.01). Farrerol at 10^-6~10^-4 mol/L eliminated the effect of PASMCs induced by nicotine in a concentration dependent manner. Compared with control group, nicotine at 1 μmol/L significantly increased the proliferation and inhibited the apoptotic rate of rat PASMCs (P<0.01). The apoptotic rate of PASMCs in farrerol intervention group was significantly higher than that in nicotine group (P<0.01). Nicotine at 1 μmol/L significantly inhibited the expression of Kv1.5, Kv2.1 and Bax but increased the expression of Bcl-2 in PASMCs (P<0.01). Farrerol at 10^-5 mol/L obviously inhibited the effect of PASMCs induced by nicotine. CONCLUSION:Farrerol eliminates nicotine-induced inhibition of caspase-3 and Bax, and enhancement of Bcl-2 in PASMCs by enhancing Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 expression.     

Effect of interferon-inducible protein p204 on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in rats

AIM: To study the effect of interferon-inducible protein p204 on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in rats. METHODS: Cultured VSMCs were treated with interferon alpha (IFN-α) and p204 gene (Ifi204) small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro instantaneously. The cell vitality was detected by MTT me-thod,and the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of mRNA and proteins was determined by real-time qRT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS: IFN-α induced the increase in the expression of p204 at mRNA and protein levels, reduced the cell vitality, inhibited the cell cycle of G₁/S transition, and down-regulated the expression of Ras protein in VSMCs. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation levels of Raf and ERK were decreased. Transfection of Ifi204 siRNA restrained the expression of p204, increased the cell vitality and promoted the cell cycle of G₁/S transition in VSMCs. The up-regulation of Ras protein expression and the increased phosphorylation levels of Raf and ERK were also observed.CONCLUSION: The expression of p204 restrains the proliferation of VSMCs in rats by inhibiting the activation of Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signal pathway.     

Role of nucleolin in Ang II-induced phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of nucleolin on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: Ang II was used to induce the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of nucleolin, and the effects of Ang II on the expression of VSMC phenotypic transformation markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), calponin, smooth muscle protein 22 α (SM22α) and osteopontin (OPN) were investigated. The techniques of gene over-expression and RNA interference were used to assess the effect of nucleolin on the expression of Ang II-mediated VSMC phenotypic transformation markers. RESULTS: The expression of α-SMA, SM22α and calponin at the mRNA and protein levels was gradually decreased by Ang II stimulation, while the expression of OPN at mRNA and protein levels was gradually increased. The expression of nucleolin was gradually up-regulated in the VSMCs treated with Ang II at different concentrations for various duration (P<0.05). Ang II induced nucleolin translocation from the nucleus to cytoplasm. Over-expression of nucleolin promoted the VSMC phenotypic transformation induced by Ang II. Down-regulation of nucleolin suppressed the promotion of phenotypic transformation. CONCLUSION: Nucleolin promotes Ang II-induced phenotypic transformation of VSMCs, and its mechanism may be related to its function of cytoplasmic translocation.     

Quercetin inhibits endothelin-1-induced T-type Ca2+ channel expression in human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of quercetin on endothelin-1-induced T-type calcium channel(TCC) expression in primary cultured human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells for exploring the protective role of quercetin in cardiovascular system. METHODS: Human umbilical arterial smooth muscle cells were verified by immunocytochemistry. The cells in 2-3 passages were used and randomly divided into control group, quercetin alone group, model group and experimental group. The cells in control group were cultured without any drugs for 24 h. The cells in quercetin alone group were cultured with 80 μmol/L quercetin for 24 h. The cells in model group were cultured with ET-1 at the concentration of 100 nmol/L for 24 h. The cells in experimental groups were pretreated with quercetin for 1 h, then coincubated with 100 nmol/L ET-1 for 24 h. The concentrations of quercetin used in this study were 20, 40and 80 μmol/L, respectively. The expression of α_1G, a TCC major subunit, was assayed at mRNA and protein levels by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The TCC currents(I_caT) were detected by the technique of whole-cell patch-clamp. RESULTS: Compared with control and experimental group, I_CaT density (P<0.01) and the expression of α_1G at mRNA (P<0.05) and protein (P<0.01) levels in model group were significantly increased. No significant difference in the results of quercetin alone group and control group was observed. CONCLUSION: The protective roles of quercetin in cardiovascular functions are related to the depressive effects of quercetin on ET-1-induced increase in both I_CaT density and the expression of α_1G at mRNA and protein levels in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Roles of gap junction in TGF-β1-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneous hypertensive rats

AIM: To investigate whether gap junction participates in transforming growth factor β₁(TGF-β₁)-induced proliferation of spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: The thoracic aorta of the rats were sampled. The primary SHR VSMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into 4 groups: control group, TGF-β₁ group,18α-glycyrrhetinic acid(18α-GA) group and TGF-β₁+18α-GA group. The proliferation of SHR VSMCs was observed by the methods of MTT and flow cytometry. The protein expression and co-localization of connexin(Cx)43 and Cx40 in SHR VSMCs were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The protein levels of Cx43 and Cx40 in the cells were also measured by Western blotting. The method of molecular dye transfer (scrape dye transfer method) was applied to detect the function of gap junction in SHR VSMCs. RESULTS: The protein expression of Cx43 and Cx40 in SHR VSMCs was positive and co-localized in the cytoplasm. Compared with control group, the percentage of S-phase detected by cell cycle and A value detected by MTT in TGF-β₁ group were obviously increased (P<0.05), indicating that the proliferation of the cells was enhanced. However, the proliferation of the cells decreased in 18α-GA group (P<0.05). Compared with TGF-β₁ group, the percentage of S-phase and A value in TGF-β₁+18α-GA group were both significantly decreased (P<0.05), indicating that the proliferation of the cells decreased. Compared with control group, the protein expression of Cx43 in TGF-β₁ group was increased (P<0.05), whereas the protein expression of Cx40 was not changed (P>0.05), and the protein expression of Cx43 and Cx40 in 18α-GA group were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with TGF-β₁ group, the expression of Cx43 in TGF-β₁+18α-GA group was significantly decreased (P<0.05),but no difference of the Cx40 protein levels between the two groups was observed. Compared with control group, the function of gap junction detected by scrape dye transfer method in TGF-β₁ group was enhanced (P<0.05), and weakened in 18α-GA group (P<0.05). Compared with the TGF-β₁ group, the function of gap junction in TGF-β₁+18α-GA group was significantly attenuated (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TGF-β₁ enhances the function of gap junction to stimulate the proliferation of SHR VSMCs through the expression of Cx43 protein. The expression of Cx40 protein may not play a major role in this process.     

Effect of ghrelin in septal nucleus on gastric motility of diabetic gastroparesis rats and its potential mechanism regulated by hypothalamic arcuate nucleus

AIM：To study the effect of ghrelin in septal nucleus on the gastric motility of the rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) and to investigate the regulation of ghrelin pathway between arcuate and septal nucleus nuclei on gastric motility. METHODS：Streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally to establish a DM rat model. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a. The gastric motility was evaluated by implantation of a force transducer on the surface of rats stomachs and the motility index was also calculated. The neural connections between arcuate and septal nuclei were analyzed by the technique of fluorogold tracing. The neural control pathway of gastric motility was determined by central drug injection, nucleus lesion or nucleus electrical stimulation. RESULTS：The expression of GHS-R1a in the septal nucleus of DM rats was lower than that in normal rats (P<0.05). The amplitude and frequency of gastric motility in the DM rats were lower than those in the normal rats (P<0.05). The gastric motility of normal and DM rats were increased by injection of ghrelin into the septal nucleus in a dose-dependent manner. Seven days after injection of fluorogold into the septal nucleus, some neurons in arcuate nucleus were labeled by fluorogold and part of the labeled neurons were ghrelin immunopositive. No effect of nucleus lesion or nucleus electrical stimulation on the gastric motility in the normal rats was observed. In DM rats, the lesion of septal nucleus decreased the gastric motility (P<0.05). In the normal rats, the change of gastric motility caused by electrical stimulation in arcuate nucleus was not affected by the lesion of septal nucleus (P>0.05), while the change was attenuated in DM rats (P<0.05). The ghrelin receptor antagonist ［D-Lys-3］-GHRP-6 had no significant effect on the gastric motility induced by electrical stimulation in arcuate nucleus of the normal rats (P>0.05), but it reduced the change in the DM rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Ghrelin in septal nucleus and the ghrelinergic pathway between arcuate and septal nuclei play an important role in the modulation of gastric motility in DM rats.     

Role of oxidative stress in gastric motility of diabetic rats

AIM: To investigate the changes of oxidative stress in the stomach tissues and their roles in gastric motility and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty-eight SD rats (8-week-old, male) were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetes was successfully induced in 36 of them. The diabetes rats were randomly divided into untreated diabetes group and treated diabetes group. Eighteen healthy SD rats (8-week-old, male) served as controls. The body weight and the levels of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured. At the end of week 1 and week 10, 9 rats were sacrificed in each group. The gastric emptying rate and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit and stem cell factor (SCF) in gastric smooth muscle were analyzed. The apoptosis of ICC in gastric tissues was detected by the methods of immunocytochemistry and TUNEL. RESULTS: Compared with control group, gastric motility and SOD activity in untreated diabetes group were significantly weakened, the levels of MDA and TNF-α increased, the levels of c-Kit and SCF decreased, and apoptosis of ICC enhanced. In treated diabetes group, the oxidative stress level was attenuated, antioxidant capacity was enhanced, the levels of c-Kit and SCF were significantly increased, and the ICC apoptosis was reduced. Gastric motility was significantly improved after antioxidant therapy. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia affects the expression of antioxidant enzymes in the stomachs of diabetic rats. Oxidative stress is caused by hyperglycemia and is an important factor in the etiology of gastric motility dysfunction in diabetic rats, which may be correlated with the augmentation of ICC apoptosis resulting from oxidative stress-induced c-Kit/SCF damage.     

Effect of nuclear factor-κB on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells regulated by protein kinase C in asthmatic rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of protein kinase C (PKC)- nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal pathway on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in asthmatic rats.METHODS: (1) 16 Wistar rats were divided into asthmatic group (8 rats) and control group (8 rats).ASMCs from asthmatic group and control group were treated with PKC agonist PMA and NF-κB inhibitor PDTC.The proliferation of ASMCs was examined by cell cycle analysis,MTT colorimetric assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunofluorescence staining,respectively.NF-κB activity was detected by NF-κB p65 immunofluorescence staining and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA),respectively.RESULTS: The percentage of S phase,A value,the positive expression rate of PCNA,the positive expression rate of NF-κB p65 and EMSA value in asthmatic ASMCs treated with PMA were higher than those in asthmatic ASMCs without treatment (P<0.05).After asthmatic ASMCs previously treated with PDTC,then with PMA,the above figures were lower than those in asthmatic ASMCs only treated with PMA and without treatment (P<0.05).The above figures in asthmatic ASMCs only treated with PDTC were lower than those in asthmatic ASMCs without treatment (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: NF-κB may contribute to the proliferation of ASMCs in asthmatic rat,in which PKC－NF-κB signal pathway is involved.     

miR-17 regulates senescence of rat vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of microRNA-17 (miR-17) on the senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the underlying mechanism.METHODS: The medial layer of the thoracic aorta was collected from the SD rats and isolated for primary culture. VSMCs were identified by immunofluorescence staining. The VSMCs were collected at the 4th~6th generations, and then the miR-17 mimics and miR-17 inhibitor were transfected into the VSMCs by liposome method. After 24 h, the cell senescence was induced by D-galactose. The VSMCs were divided into the following 6 groups:aging induction+miR-17 mimics (A-miR-17) group, aging induction+miR-17 inhibitor (A-anti-miR-17) group, A-control group, normal (N)+miR-17-mimics (N-miR-17) group, N-anti-miR-17 group, and N-control group. On day 3 after the addition of D-galactose, the senescence of VSMCs was observed with β-galactosidase staining. The expression of miR-17, p16 and p21 was detected by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: miR-17 expression in the VSMCs was significantly lower in A-control group than that in N-control group (P<0.01). Compared with A-control group, the expression of miR-17 in the VSMCs was significantly increased in A-miR-17 group (P<0.01), while that was significantly decreased in A-anti-miR-17 group (P<0.01). The number of β-galactosidase positive staining cells in A-anti-miR-17 group was significantly higher than that in A-miR-17 group (P<0.01). The expression of p21 at mRNA and protein levels in the VSMCs was significantly lower in A-miR-17 group than that in A-control group (P<0.01), and the expressions of p21 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly higher in A-anti-miR-17 group than that in A-miR-17 group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: miR-17 inhibits rat VSMCs senescence induced by D-galactose, the underlying mechanism is associated with the inhibition of p21 expression.     

Studies of potassium channel in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells of pulmonary hypertension rats

AIM：In this work,we investigated the difference of membrane capacitance,membrane current,current density and I-V curves between smooth muscle cells isolated from pulmonary hypertension rat (PHR) or normotensive rat (NTR) pulmonary arteries.METHODS：Thirty young male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8-9 weeks,were used.Body weight was (200±20)g at the start of experiments.These rats were placed into a normobaric chamber for 6 h·day-1,6 day·week-1 for 4 weeks.Hypoxic exposure was accomplished by ventilation with room air and N2 resulting in a constant O2 concentration of (10±0.5)%.Whole cell recordings were made from smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from pulmonary arteries derived from PHR or NTR.RESULTS：The membrane capacitance of pulmonary hypertension rats was larger than that in SD rats;but membrane current and current density were lower than those in SD rats (P<0.05).The I-V curves of pulmonary hypertension rat were downward shift compared with that in SD rat.Iptakalim hydrochloride 10 μmol·L-1 significantly increased potassium currents.CONCLUSIONS：Membrane capacitance,membrane current,membrane potential are decreased,I-V curves was shift downward,compared with NTR.Iptakalim hydrochloride significantly increased NTR and PHR potassium currents.     

Effect of nicotine on systolic and diastolic function of rat aortic smooth muscle cells

AIM:To observe the effects of nicotine on systolic and diastolic function of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS:The primary rat aortic VSMCs were cultured in vitro. After exposed to nicotine at different concentrations for 24 h, the cytoskeleton of the VSMCs was stained with rhodamine-phalloidin,the photographs of the VSMCs in different experimental groups were taken and the surface area was measured to reflect the cell contractility. Collagen contraction method was also used to determine the effect of nicotine on the contractility of rat aortic VSMCs. RESULTS:The primary rat aortic VSMCs were successfully cultured. After the VSMCs were treated with nicotine (0.1 μmol/L, 1 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L) for 24 h, the skeleton showed a significant contraction, and the cell plate shape was obviously enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner. The results showed that 10 μmol/L was the optimal concentration of nicotine for VSMCs (P<0.01). The collagen contraction method also showed that 10 μmol/L nicotine contracted the rat aortic VSMCs. With the increase in the nicotine action time, the maximum contraction effect was observed at 60 min (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Nicotine has a strong contractile effect on VSMCs of rat aorta, and its contractile effect is dependent on concentration and time.