Study of vascular smooth muscle cell calcification induced by hyperphosphate and intervented by atorvastatin / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the protective effects of atorvastatin on hyperphosphate-induced rat vascular smooth muscle ceils (RVSMCs) calcification and to discuss the mechanism. Methods RVSMCs were placed in various culture media, including normal phosphate medium, high phosphate medium, ZVAD-FMK medium and atorvastatin medium.Calcium content and cell protein content were quantified by the o-cresolphthalein complexone method and BCA protein assay respectively. Calcification was visualized by yon Kossa staining. And cell apoptosis was quantified by ELISA. Results (1)At day 3, 6, 9, RVSMCs calcification occurred more frequently in high phosphate medium than that in normal phosphate medium (P<0.05). (2)At day 6, RVSMCs calcification was significantly inhibited in 1.0 μmol/L and 2.0 μmol/LZVAD-FMK medium (P<0.05). And in 10 nmol/L and I00 nmol/L statin medium, RVSMCscalcium deposition significantly decreased (P<0.05). (3)RVSMCs apoptosis and calcification occurredfrequently in high phosphate medium. And atorvastatin significantly inhibited RVSMCs apoptosisboth in long-term and short-term (P<0.05). Conclusions Hyperphosphate can induce the calcium deposition of RVSMCs in vitro. Atorvastatin protects RVSMCs from phosphate-induced calcification by inhibiting apoptosis.