Effect of VEGF on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells from the hippocampal gyrus of rat in vitro

AIM: To observe the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) of rats in vitro.METHODS: NSCs isolated from the hippocampal gyrus of SD rats were primary cultured and subcultured,and then divided into two groups: (1) the cells in VEGF group were treated with 150 μg/L VEGF in the culture system,and VEGF was removed at the 7 th day;(2) control group (without VEGF treatment).The cellular morphology of two groups was observed by contrast phase microscope.Nestin and NF-200 expressing cells were detected via immunofluorescence method.The percentages of the immunostaining positive cells in each group at the 7 th day and at the 11 th day were determined.RESULTS: At the 7 th day,the percentage of nestin positive cells in VEGF group was 52.19%±7.95%,vs 29.26%±4.12% in control group (P<0.01).The percentage of NF positive cells in VEGF group was 22.33%±4.13%,vs 38.62%±5.31% in control group (P<0.01).At the 3 th day after VEGF was removed,the percentage of NF positive cells in VEGF group was 43.10%±3.70%,vs 30.56%±4.16% in control group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: VEGF stimulates the proliferation of neural stem cells and inhibits their differentiation.     

Construction of recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HSP70 and its expression in rat neural stem cells

AIM：To explore the method of constructing recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HSP70 and its expression in neural stem cells. METHODS：Total RNA was acquired from the fetal liver tissue of SD rat. cDNA complete sequence of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene was amplified by RT-PCR, and cloned into an eukaryotic expression vector containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene, pEGFP-C2. Sequencing analysis was performed to confirm the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HSP70. The technique of nucleofector transfection was used to transfect the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HSP70 into neural stem cells. RESULTS：HSP70 cDNA sequence was correctly cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-C2. The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HSP70 was constructed successfully. Compared with control group, the fluorescence intensities in pEGFP-C2 group and pEGFP-HSP70 group were significantly increased. The fluorescence intensity in pEGFP-HSP70 group after 24 h of transfection was significantly decreased compared with other time points of 7 d, 14 d and 21 d. The expression level of HSP70 significantly increased 1 d, 7 d and 14 d after transfection compared with control group. CONCLUSION：The neural stem cells can be directly used as gene action target cells. The HSP70 expression level in the stem cells is closely related to the time after transfection.     

Effects of taurine on expression of glucose transporters in rat brain with diffused brain injury

AIM: To investigate the effect of taurine on the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and transporter 3 (GLUT3) in rat brain with diffused brain injury (DBI).METHODS: Sixty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated group, DBI group, low-dose taurine group (200 mg/kg, ig) and high-dose taurine group (300 mg/kg, ig).After fed with the corresponding drugs for 7 days, the animal model of DBI was made, and the rats were executed 24 h after DBI.The expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 in the brain was detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.The pathomorphological changes of the cerebral cortex were observed under electron microscope.RESULTS: The expression of GLUT1 was detected in capillary vascular endothelial cells in each group, and cytoplasm-positive cells or the cells with buffy membrane were observed.No significant difference of the GLUT1 expression in brain tissues between DBI group and sham-operated group was detected.Compared with DBI group, the expression of GLUT1 in the brain tissues were significantly increased in low-and high-dose taurine groups (P<0.01).The expression of GLUT1 in the brain tissues in low-dose taurine group were significantly higher than that in high-dose taurine group (P<0.05).The positive staining of GLUT3 only appeared in the periphery of the third ventricle in each group in the cells with buffy membrane or positive cytoplasm.The expression of GLUT3 in the brain tissues in DBI group was significantly higher than that in sham-operated group (P<0.01).The expression of GLUT3 in the brain tissues in low-and high-dose taurine groups was significantly higher than that in DBI group (P<0.01).Compared with low dose taurine group, the expression of GLUT3 in the brain tissues were significantly increased in high-dose taurine group (P<0.01).The pathological damage of cerebral cortex in low-dose taurine group was obviously alleviated.CONCLUSION: Taurine may take part in the neuroprotective mechanisms in DBI by increasing the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT3 at protein level to maintain the energy supply in brain tissues.     

Effect of fibrin on expression of interleukin-6 in rat brain vascular endothelial cells

AIM:To investigate the kinetics of interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein and mRNA expressions in the co-culture of rat brain vascular endothelial cells(VECs) with fibrin. METHODS:The IL-6 concentration were measured by rat IL-6 ELISA kit and the IL-6 mRNA was measured by real-time PCR after development an in vitro model of in situ fibrin polymerization on rat brain vascular endothelial cells. RESULTS:Fibrin induced IL-6 expression. The IL-6 antigen concentration increased significantly in 1.0 g/L media group compared to the low dose fibrin group or control media group (P<0.01). Fibrin-induced IL-6 expression in rat brain VECs as early as 2 h post-fibrin stimulation, increased significantly at 8 h, keeping at high level till 24 h (P<0.05). Collagen did not induce IL-6 expression at 24 h. Real-time PCR analysis showed that IL-6 antigen increase in fibrin treated rat brain VECs was due to fibrin induced elevation of steady state mRNA expression. CONCLUSION:Fibrin is a potent vascular endothelial cell activator. It induces IL-6 expression in time and dose dependent fashions.     

Effect of Fu-Sheng powder on ischemia-reperfusion-like injury in neural cells

AIM: To further elucidate the mechanism underlying the protective effect of Chinese herb Fu Sheng powder on vascular dementia. METHODS: Primary passage of neural cells of new born rats were subjected to the ischemia-reperfusion-like injury of hypoxia plus glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation plus glucose, and the effect of "Fu-Sheng powder" on neural cells was examined. RESULTS: Both 5 hours of "ischemia" and 5 hours of "ischemia" plus 5 hours of "reperfusion" led to severe injury to neural cells, the formation of MDA and intracellular calcium concentration increased significantly, however, the activities of SOD and fluidity of neurons decreased significantly. It was also observed that Fu-Sheng powder could significantly alleviate this injury. CONCLUSION: Fu-Sheng powder had direct protective effect on neurons subjected to iscehmia-reperfusion-likeinjury, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect on vascular dementia.     

Proliferative effect of neonatal mouse brain extracts on neural stem cells in vitro

AIM: To discover specific neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation-promoting factor, which will contribute to study on development of nervous system and treatment of nervous system diseases. METHODS: The extracts of forebrain, midbrain,afterbrain and cerebellum of neonatal mice were prepared, and the NSCs of newborn mice were cultured in vitro. Neurospheres were observed, immunocytochemical staining of characteristic protein, nestin, and MTT assay were performed to identify NSCs and their proliferative properties. RESULTS: A great deal of neurospheres were formed in the presence of the extracts of afterbrain and cerebellum, which were positive for characteristic protein （Nestin） of NSC showed by immunocytochemical staining. CONCLUSION: The afterbrain and cerebellum extracts can increase the total number of NSCs isolated from newborn mice in vitro in a dose-dependent manner.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of huperzine A on protection of rat neural stem cells in vitro

AIM：To explore the anti-inflammatory effect of huperzine A (HupA) and its neuroprotective effect on rat neural stem cells (NSCs). METHODS：The microglia and NSCs were isolated from neonatal rat hippocampal tissues and co-cultured in a Transwell system. The cells were divided into 3 groups：control group, amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ) group and HupA group. The microglia layer in Aβ group was treated with Aβ1-42 (10 μmol/L), while that in HupA group was pretreated with HupA (1 μmol/L) before Aβ1-42 stimulation. The culture supernatant levels of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), were detected by LiquiChip technique. The apoptosis of NSCs was determined by flow cytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS：The microglia secreted a large number of inflammatory mediators with the stimulation of Aβ. In Aβ group, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and MIP-1α were significantly higher than those in control group at 72 h (P<0.01), and the apoptotic rate of NSCs was 25.46% (P<0.01). In HupA group, the concentrations of IL-6, TNF-α and MIP-1α decreased significantly as compared with Aβ group (P<0.01), and the apoptotic rate of NSCs was only 8.05% (P<0.01). The Bcl-2/Bax ratio in HupA group was higher than that in Aβ group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION：Huperzine A reduces the secretion of cytokines and chemokines, and attenuates microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, thus protecting NSCs against inflammation-induced apoptosis.     

Effect of acupuncture on expression of EGF and bFGF in brain tissues of rats with traumatic brain injury

AIM: To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibrolblast growth factor (bFGF) in the brain tissues of rats with traumatic brain injury. METHODS: Thirty SD rats were randomized into sham-operated group, model group and acupuncture group. The model of traumatic brain injury was established by free drop impact. Acupuncture was performed to the rats in acupuncture group once every day and 7 days altogether. Brain histotomy was conducted after the treatment. Immunohistochemical method was adopted to test the protein expression of EGF and bFGF. RESULTS: Compared to sham-operated group, the expression of EGF in the brain tissues of model group decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of bFGF increased (P<0.01). Compared to model group, the expression of EGF and bFGF in acupuncture group increased obviously (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture significantly increases the expression of EGF and bFGF, and improves the repair of injured brain tissues. This might be one of the mechanisms by which acupuncture can treat traumatic brain injury and improve the nervous function.     

Effect of Zfp521 expression on differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neurons

AIM: To investigate the effect of zinc finger protein 521 (Zfp521) on the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neurons. METHODS: Rat MSCs were cultured by conventional method in vitro and divided into non-transfection group, transfection group (transfected with Rn-Zfp521-siRNA) and negative control group (transfected with negative control siRNA). MSCs were induced by β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) to differentiate into neurons. The fluorescence expressed by transfected MSCs was observed under inverted fluorescence microscope. The expression of Zfp521 was detected after transfection by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE),microtubule-associated protein 2(MAP-2) and Zfp521 after induction. RESULTS: The fluorescence of MSCs was mostly displayed 72 h after transfection and the efficiency of transfection was up to 84.1%±2.3%. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression of Zfp521 was decreased (P<0.05). MSCs were induced by β-ME to differentiate into neurons. The differentiation efficiency of MSCs transfected with Rn-Zfp521-siRNA was the highest and the expression of NSE and MAP-2 was significantly increased compared with other groups (P<0.05). Zfp521 was detected in all groups, and the expression level of Zfp521 was significantly decreased after induction (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Zfp521 may be down-regulated during the differentiation. The inhibition of Zfp521 promotes the neural differentiation of MSCs. Zfp521 may play an important role in regulating MSCs differentiation into neurons.     

Effects of conditioned medium of ADSCs transfected with VEGF on dermal fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate the influence of conditioned medium (CM) of human adipose-derived stem cells (HADSCs) transfected with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro.METHODS: The HADSCs, HDFs and HUVECs were prepared and identified. The HADSCs were transfected with lentivirus carrying VEGF165 gene and the CM was collected regularly. ELISA method was used to detect the growth factor secretion in the CM. The VEGF-CM mixed with complete medium were divided into 5 groups for culturing with HDFs or HUVECs. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay. The optimal ratio of VEGF-CM, normal CM (Nor-CM) and complete medium were applied to HDFs or HUVECs. The migration ability was detected by wound-healing assay. RESULTS: The results of ELISA showed that the expression levels of VEGF and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in VEGF-CM group were higher those in Nor-CM group (P<0.05). Compared with other groups, the cell viability and migration abilities of HDFs and HUVECs were obviously enhanced in VEGF-CM group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The HADSCs transfected with VEGF165 gene greatly enhances the expression of VEGF and bFGF. The CM of HADSCs promotes the viability and migration abilities of HDFs and HUVECs in vitro.     

Effect of antisense VEGF gene on VEGF expression in human renal cell carcinoma

AIM: To construct eukaryotic expression vector carrying human antisense VEGF gene and to study its effect on VEGF expression and growth of renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: VEGF gene was cloned. Antisense VEGF gene was inserted into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(-), then using restrict enzyme to confirm the result. The vector was transfected into renal cell carcinoma and positive clone was selected by using G418. The VEGF expression was detected by using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method. The growth of cells was measured by MTT and cell cycle by FCM. RESULTS: Antisense VEGF gene eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed. Compared with empty vector group and control group, the amount of VEGF mRNA expression and VEGF protein were decreased in the antisense VEGF group, the difference was significant. There was no significant difference between empty vector group and control group. The cell growth in the antisense VEGF group became slower, and the percent of G1 phase increased and the percent of S phase decreased. CONCLUSION: Antisense VEGF gene decreases the VEGF mRNA and protein expression in renal cell carcinoma and inhibits the growth of renal carcinoma. Antisense VEGF gene may be used in gene therapy of renal carcinoma.     

Preliminary study on induction of mouse embryonic stem cells into neural stem cells in vitro

AIM:To explore the feasibility of inducing mouse embryonic stem cells into neural stem cells in vitro. METHODS:Embryonic body induced by retinoic acid and retinal müller cells were selected in neural stem cell-defined medium for 7 days, and the morphological changes were observed. The selected cells were stained immunocytochemically with anti-nestin, anti-BrdU antibodies, and their ability of expansion and differentiation were analyzed. RESULTS:Large amounts of neurospheres were derived from embryonic body in the selected medium on the 7th day, which could be passaged and differentiated, stained positive with nestin and BrdU, and expressed nestin, glutaminase and Brn-3 genes. CONCLUSION:Neural stem cells could be derived from embryonic body induced by RA and müller cells in the selected medium, which would offer an alternative to treat neuropathy such as glaucoma and retinal degeneration in the future.     

Effect of sodium valproate on expression and epigenetic modification of CEBPA in AML1-ETO transfected cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of sodium valproate (VPA) on the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (CEBPA) in AML1-ETO transfected cells and to explore the possible mechanism for inducing re-expression of the silent gene. METHODS:The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, and the living cell counting was performed by the method of trypan blue exclusion. The expression of myeloid cell differentiation antigen was simultaneously detected by flow cytometry.RT-qPCR was used to assess the mRNA expression of CEBPA. The acetylation levels of histones H3 and H4 were detected by ChIP-qPCR. RESULTS:VPA significantly inhibited the growth of U937 and AML1-ETO transfected cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. VPA enhanced the expression of cell differentiation antigens CD11b and CD14. VPA increased the mRNA expression of CEBPA. The acetylation levels of H3 and H4 were increased by the treatment with VPA. CONCLUSION:VPA inhibits the proliferation and induces differentiation of U937 and AML1-ETO transfected cells.VPA causes the changes of epigenetic modification and induces the re-expression of CEBPA gene which is silenced probably through specifically regulating the acetylation levels of H3 and H4.     

Influences of excitatory amino acids on the proliferation of neural stem cells from embryonic rat

AIM:To study the influence of excitatory amino acids on the proliferation of neural stem cells from the embryonic rat. METHODS:The neural stem cells from subventricular zone (SVZ) of the embryonic SD rat were isolated, cultured and identified in vitro. The effects of two excitatory amino acids, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and glutamic acid (Glu), on cell proliferation were detected by MTT colorimetric assay. RESULTS:The cultured cells showed embryo-derived characteristic were neural stem cells. NMDA and Glu significantly decreased the proliferation rate in all these cells. CONCLUSION:The subventriculcr zone cells have the self-renew and multipotent differentiation potential, belong to neural stem cells of central nervous system. Excitatory amino acids, NMDA and Glu, efficiently inhibit the cell proliferation.     

Effect of mesenchymal stem cells transfected with human heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)gene on myocardial apoptosis and angiogenesis

AIM: To investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)transfected with human heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)gene on myocardial apoptosis and angiogenesis. METHODS: MSCs were acquired from the bone marrow of adult rats. The cells were isolated, purified, cultured, and transfected with Adv-HO-1 in vitro before transplantation. At 1 h after left coronary artery ligation, Adv-HO-1-MSCs or MSCs were directly injected into the border of cardiac infarction in rats. Western blotting analysis was used to measure HO-1, and Bax protein expression in the border of cardiac infarction. ELISA was used to measure the expressions of VEGF and bFGF in the border of cardiac infarction. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the heart functions in survival rats were examined by the Buxco system. The rats were killed, then the myocardial infarct size was measured with Masson’s trichrome, and the expression of CD34 in myocardial infarction area was detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: HO-1-MSCs exhibited increased HO-1 expression. The expression of HO-1, VEGF and bFGF in the border of cardiac infarction in the rats treated with HO-1-MSCs were higher than those in the rats treated with MSCs and PBS(P<0.01). However, the expression of apoptotic protein Bax was significantly lower than that in the rats treated with MSCs and PBS(P<0.01). The number of capillary vessels in the border of cardiac infarction in the rats treated with HO-1-MSCs was significantly higher than that in the rats treated with MSCs and PBS. The cardiac function in the rats treated with HO-1-MSCs was better than that in the rats treated with MSCs and PBS(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The favorable effect on heart function appears to be a combined outcome of HO-1 and paracrine factors released by MSCs.     

Effect of AG490 on expression of VEGF and HIF-1α in HEL cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of AG490 on the expression of VEGF and HIF-1α, and the capacity of invasion in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. METHODS: The HEL cells were treated with AG490 at different concentrations. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis was detected by Hoechst staining. The apoptosis and the cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. The capacity of migration was evaluated by Transwell assay. The mRNA expression level of JAK2 was measured by RT-PCR. The protein levels of p-JAK2, VEGF and HIF-1α were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: The HEL cell viabilities were 88%, 75%, 48%, 10% and 0.12% after treated with AG490 at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μmol/L for 48 h, respectively. The results of Hoechst staining showed that brilliant blue cells in 80 μmol/L AG490 group was significantly increased compared with control group for 48 h. The apoptosis rate of 80 μmol/L AG490 group was significantly increased compared with control group at 48 h after AG490 treatment. The number of membrane-permeating HEL cells in 20 μmol/L AG490 group at 24 h after AG490 treatment was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The mRNA level of JAK2 decreased in a concentration-dependent manner after the HEL cells were treated with different concentrations of AG490 for 48 h. The protein levels of p-JAK2, VEGF and HIF-1α were lower in AG490 treatment groups than those in control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AG490 inhibits the expression of VEGF and HIF-1α in HEL cells by inhibiting JAK2 pathway.     

Influence of murine cytomegalovirus infection on the differentiation and the differentiation genes expression in neural stem cells

AIM: The influence of MCMV infection on differentiation and differentiation gene expression in neural stem cells(NSCs) in vitro were investigated for studying the mechanisms of brain abnormalities caused by congenital cytomegalovirus infection.METHODS: NSCs were separated from fetal BALB/C mouse, and cultured and identified in vitro. The differentiation potency of NSCs was observed by immunofluorescence. The NSCs infected by MCMV at dosage of MOI(multiplicity of infection) equaled to 5, 1 and 0.1,respectively, were cultured in differentiation medium. The morphological changes of infected cells were observed under inverted microscope. The ratios of NSCs and its differentiated cells were detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of nestin, GFAP and NSE, markers of NSCs and its differentiated cells, were studied by immunofluorescence(MOI=1). The expression of early antigen(EA) of MCMV was detected to observe the infection process. Real-time RT-PCR method was employed to measure the expression levels of the key genes Neurog2, Myc and Ccnd1 in Wnt signal pathway of NSCs at early stage of differentiation culture.RESULTS: NSCs isolated from embryonic mouse brains proliferated to form neurospheres, strongly expressed nestin and differentiated into NF-200 positive neurons or GFAP positive astrocytes. The infected NSCs did not adhere to the wall and appeared differentiation growths, but showed swollen gradually after differentiation culture. The nestin expression in the infected cells downregulated slowly and was higher than that in control groups(P<0.05). The GFAP and NSE expressions of the infected cells were lower than those in control groups(P<0.05). The early antigen(EA) of MCMV was always detected in the cells in infected groups. The ratios of nestin positive cells in infected groups were higher than those in control groups, but the ratios of GFAP and NSE positive cells of former were lower than that of the latter from 3rd to 9th d after differentiation culture(P<0.05). The levels of Neurog2 mRNA and Myc mRNA in infected groups were markedly lower than those in normal control groups on 1st d and from 1st to 4th d after differentiation culture, respectively(P<0.05). The levels of Ccnd1 mRNA of infected groups were obviously lower than those in normal control groups from 12th h to 1st d(P<0.05). These changes in infected groups became more obvious as MCMV MOI increased.CONCLUSION: MCMV significantly inhibits differentiation of NSCs to neurons and astrocytes, and leads to the decrease in differentiated cells. MCMV inhibits or interferes with the gene expression of Neurog2, Myc and Ccnd1 in Wnt signal pathway of NSCs. The effect that MCMV inhibits the expressions of differentiation and the differentiation genes in NSCs shows dose-dependent with MCMV MOI. The inhibitory effect of MCMV on the differentiation of NSCs might be induced by interfering with the expression of differentiation gene in NSCs, which is possibly the one of primary causes of brain development disorders induced by congenital CMV infection.     

Effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells combined with vitamin E on inflammatory reaction in acute kidney injury

AIM:To explore the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) combined with vitamin E on the inflammatory reaction in acute kidney injury (AKI) rats. METHODS:Gentamicin was used to induce AKI and the rats were treated with BMSCs combined with vitamin E. After treatment, the rat plasma and kidney tissues were collected, and the expression of inflammatory factors at mRNA and protein levels was detected by real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA. RESULTS:After the treatment with BMSCs combined with vitamin E, the inflammatory proteins were down-regulated in the plasma and the renal tissues. Compared with single treatment group, the decreases in the inflammatory proteins were more obvious in combined treatment group. CONCLUSION: The method of BMSCs combined with vitamin E takes the anti-inflammatory effect on AKI, indicating a new and potential mode in clinical application for AKI therapy.     

Effect of scutellarin on VEGF expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells and retinas of diabetic rats

AIM: To evaluate the influence of scutellarin on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in high glucose-treated human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 and to observe the effects of scutellarin on the protein expression of VEGF, p-ERK and VEGFR2 in the retinas of type II diabetic rats. METHODS: Cultured ARPE-19 cells were divided into normal control group, scutellarin group, high glucose group and high glucose+scutellarin group. The protein levels of VEGF, p-ERK and VEGFR2 were measured by Western blot. The VEGF release in ARPE-19 cells was detected by ELISA. Normal rats were randomly divided into normal control group and scutellarin group. Diabetic rat model was established by feeding with high-fat diet and injecting with streptozocin, and randomly divided into diabetes group and diabetes treated with scutellarin group. After 16 weeks, the eyes were removed. The morphological changes of the retinas were observed under light microscope with HE staining, and histopathological score was recorded. The expression of VEGF in the retinas was observed by the method of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the protein levels of VEGF, p-ERK and VEGFR2 in the ARPE-19 cells decreased in scutellarin group, but increased in high glucose group. The histopathological score of the retinas showed significant difference among diabetes group, diabetes treated with scutellarin group and normal control group, and no significant difference between normal control group and scutellarin group was observed. The expression of VEGF increased in diabetic group and was significantly higher than that in scutellarin treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Scutellarin inhibits the increased protein le-vels of VEGF, p-ERK and VEGFR2 in ARPE-19 cells, and decreases the expression of VEGF in the retinas of diabetic rats. The suppression of the diabetic retinopathy development by scutellarin may be partly involved in the ERK/MAPK pathway.     

Effect of fluvastatin on expression of SGK1 and CTGF induced by aldosterone in rat mesangial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of fluvastatin on the expression of serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) induced by aldosterone (Ald) in rat mesangial cells (GMCs). METHODS: GMCs were divided into (1) control group; (2) aldosterone group with different concentrations and times; (3) Ald (10-7 mol/L)+spironolactone (10-9mol/L) group; (4) Ald (10-7mol/L)+LY294002 (20 μmol/L) group; (5) Ald (10-7mol/L) +SB203580 (20 mmol/L) group; (6) the group of Ald (10-7mol/L)+ fluvastatin at different concentrations (10-7, 10-6, 10-5 mol/L); (7) Ald (10-7mol/L) +fluvastatin (10-5mol/L)+mevalonate (10-4 mol/L) group; (8) Ald (10-7mol/L) +fluvastatin (10-5mol/L)+FPP (farnesyl pyrophosphate, 10-4 mol/L) group; (9) Ald (10-7mol/L) +fluvastatin (10-5 mol/L) +GGPP (geranylgerany pyrophosphate, 10-4 mol/L) group. The protein levels of SGK1 and CTGF were determined by Western blotting. The levels of fibronection (FN), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Aldosterone stimulated the protein expression of SGK1 and CTGF in cultured mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). SGK1 expression was increased at as early as 6 h (P<0.05), peaked at 12 h after aldosterone treatment (P<0.01). This stimulatory effect of aldosterone on SGK1 and CTGF was blocked by mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) inhibitor and LY294002 (a specific inhibitor of PI3K). Incubation of cells with fluvastatin significantly inhibited the aldosterone-induced the activations of SGK1 and CTGF, and the expression of MCP-1 and ICAM was in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Exogenous mevalonate prevented the effect of fluvastatin on SGK1 expression in GMCs. CONCLUSION: Fluvastatin reduces aldosterone-induced SGK1 expression via mineralocorticoid receptor and PI3K pathway in rat mesangial cells. Such effect of flurastatin is partly blocked by mevalonate.