Cytoprotective effects of euxanthone against ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury is mediated via Nrf2

Publication date: Available online 16 March 2019Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): Shengnan Li, Yong Sun, Zhiwu Han, Xiaocui Bu, Weijie Yu, Junyu WangAbstractAimAtherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic condition of the arterial vessels and a risk factor for myocardial infarction and stroke. Euxanthone is a xanthone compound extracted from Polygala caudata, and shows vasodilatory action. The aim of this study was to determine the potential pharmacological effects of euxanthone against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced endothelial cell injury.Material and methodsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to ox-LDL, following pre-treatment with different concentrations of euxanthone. Viability, apoptosis and DNA fragmentation were respectively assessed by CCK-8 assay, Annexin-V/PI staining and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. The cellular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were analyzed by enzyme linked immune-sorbent assays (ELISA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels using dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate (DCFH) staining. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were respectively used to analyze the expression levels of specific mRNAs and proteins. HUVECs were transfected with Nrf2 siRNA to induce knockdown of the latter.Key findingsEuxanthone pre-treatment rescued the HUVECs from ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in a dose-d...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research