title: [Effect of valsartan on cyclooxygenase-2 expression in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated by ox-LDL].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of valsartan on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by ox-LDL.
  
  
  METHODS
  HUVECs were cultured in endothelial basal medium and divided into four groups (n = 5 each): group I, control group without any treatment; group II: HUVECs stimulated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) in endothelial basal medium for 24 hours; group III: HUVECs treated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) and valsartan (10 µmol/L) in endothelial basal medium for 24 hours; group IV: HUVECs treated with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) and valsartan (30 µmol/L) in endothelial basal medium for 24 hours. Expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of and COX-2 mRNA was significantly higher in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs than in control group (1.478 ± 0.104 vs. 0.366 ± 0.104, P < 0.05), while expression of COX-1 mRNA was similar between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Valsartan dose-dependently decreased the COX-2 mRNA expression (group III vs. group II: 1.074 ± 0.112 vs. 1.478 ± 0.104, P < 0.05; group IV vs. group II: 0.664 ± 0.104 vs. 1.478 ± 0.104, P < 0.05). Expression of COX-1 mRNA in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs was not affected by valsartan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COX-2 mRNA expression in ox-LDL-treated HUVECs could be reduced by valsartan suggesting valsartan might attenuate atherosclerosis by reducing ox-LDL-induced inflammatory responses.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Cardiology, Cangzhou People's Hospital, South Medical University, Cangzhou 061000, China.
authors.forename: Li-Qing
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Da-Yi
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000009:adverse effects; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D013777:Tetrazoles; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D000068756:Valsartan; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D014633:Valine