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The effects of artemisinin on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells of rats
Author(s) -
Wang Haiyang,
Huang Renping,
Han Peng,
Xue Dongbo,
Li Haibin,
Liu Bing,
Shan Peng,
Wang Qingshan,
Li Keshen,
Li Hali
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cell biochemistry and function
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1099-0844
pISSN - 0263-6484
DOI - 10.1002/cbf.2995
Subject(s) - propidium iodide , vascular smooth muscle , apoptosis , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , artemisinin , microbiology and biotechnology , cell growth , annexin , flow cytometry , western blot , messenger rna , biology , cell cycle , chemistry , programmed cell death , immunology , endocrinology , biochemistry , gene , smooth muscle , malaria , plasmodium falciparum
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of artemisinin on the proliferation and apoptosis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Method Primary rat VSMCs were treated with various doses of artemisinin. Cell proliferation was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and the messenger RNA and protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen were determined by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was measured using annexin V and propidium iodide double staining evaluated by flow cytometry. Protein expression of Bax, Bcl2, and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 was determined by Western blot. Results After 72 h of treatment, artemisinin significantly inhibited VSMC proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. Treatment with 1 mM artemisinin for 72 h significantly reduced the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen messenger RNA. On the other hand, the same treatment increased the apoptosis of VSMCs, the activation of caspase‐3, the Bax protein expression, and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Conclusion The results suggest that artemisinin can effectively inhibit VSMC proliferation and induce VSMC apoptosis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.