ABSTRACT
Aim To study the intervention effect of tet- ramethylpyrazine(TMP) on human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) inflammatory response induced by activated complement alternative pathway and the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods HMECs were pretreated with different concentrations of TMP, and then exposed to the activated products of the complement alternative pathway which was prepared by cobra venom factor( CVF). The supernatant was removed and assayed for expression of the adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin) and the inflammatory mediator(IL-6 and TNF-ot) by using ELISA reagent kits. The nucleus transcriptional activity of NF- kB was measured by the dual luciferase reporter assay ? system. Results The adhesion molecules, inflammato ry mediator and nucleus transcriptional activity of NF- kB increased after HMECs were exposed to the products of the activated complement alternative pathway. The up-regulation of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, IL-6, TNF-a and the nucleus transcriptional activity of NF-kB were inhibited by various concentrations of TMP in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions TMP can effectively reduce inflammatory response of HMECs in-duced by the activated complement alternative pathway , and the mechanism may be highly related to inhibition of nucleus transcriptional activity of NF-kB.