Effect of vitamin E and vitamin C on the DNA synthesis of human umbilical arterial endothelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial cell growth and reendothealization after vascular injury protect the vessel wall against endothelial dysfunction which is believed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.


OBJECTIVE
of the study To investigate a possible protective role of antioxidant vitamins in the present study, the effect of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) alone and in combination with vitamin C on the DNA synthesis of human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HUAEC) was examined. Furthermore, because oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is thought to be involved in atherogenesis, the combined effect of vitamin E and vitamin C with ox-LDL and the influence of vitamin-pretreated LDL on HUAEC proliferation were investigated.


METHODS
DNA-synthesis was determined by measurement of [3H]thymidine incorporation into the cell DNA.


RESULTS
Vitamin E alone and in combination with vitamin C resulted in an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation into cell DNA, especially in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). All vitamin-pretreated LDL samples and ox-LDL led to a nearly complete inhibition of endothelial DNA-synthesis. The ox-LDL-induced effect could not be prevented by vitamin E alone nor in combination with vitamin C.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems that once LDL oxidation is in process, vitamin E alone and in combination with vitamin C is ineffective to exert its antioxidative capacity under the conditions used. Thus, vitamin E alone and combined with vitamin C may act as antiatherogens by inducing endothelial cell growth.
Totzke
G
G
Medizinische Universitäts-Poliklinik, Bonn, Germany.
Metzner
C
C
Ulrich-Merzenich
G
G
Ko
Y
Y
Sachinidis
A
A
Vetter
H
H
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014810:Vitamin E; D004247:DNA; D001205:Ascorbic Acid