[Protective effect of ecdysterone against sodium arsenite-induced endothelial cell apoptosis].
OBJECTIVE
To study whether ecdysterone (EDS) inhibits apoptosis of endothelial cells.


METHODS
In the model of sodium arsenite (Ars)-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, the effect of EDS at varied dosages (50, 200, 800 mg/L) on cell apoptosis was observed by measuring the number of apoptotic endothelial cells, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and the oxidative state (OS).


RESULTS
Ars at the dosages of 40, 80, 160 mmol/L was capable of causing an increase in the number of apoptotic endothelial cells in vitro, and 160 mmol/L Ars exhibited the strongest effect. EDS was shown to exert influence on the apoptosis-inducing effect of Ars, which decreased the apoptotic cell number at the dosage of 50 and 200 mg/L, but a contrary effect occurred while at the dosage of 800 mg/L. Meanwhile EDS (50, 200 mg/L) inhibited the increase of ICAM-1 expression in the endothelial cells in response to Ars, but failed to significantly elevate the low OS induced by Ars (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Ars induces endothelial cell apoptosis dose-dependently, and in a similar manner, EDS produces influence on the apoptosis-inducing action of Ars. EDS (50, 200 mg/L) may decrease the apoptotic endothelial cell number and lower the Ars-induced increase of ICAM-1 expression, demonstrating its protective effect on the endothelial cells against apoptosis.
Wu
Xu
X
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. wuxu5888@fimmu.edu.cn
Wang
Wu-jun
WJ
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018053:Arsenites / Q000633:toxicity*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
D018053:Arsenites; D017670:Sodium Compounds; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; C017947:sodium arsenite; D004441:Ecdysterone