Curcumin ameliorates high glucose-induced dysfunction of vasoconstriction via heme oxygenase-1 and GC pathway / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: To explore the protective effect of curcumin on high glucose-induced decrease in contraction of isolated rat aortic rings, and to elucidate its underlying mechanism. METHODS: The thoracic aortic rings with endothelium of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on a bath system. Isometric contractions of aortic rings were measured. HO activity was also evaluated. RESULTS: (1)Four hours after incubated with 44 mmol/L of glucose (high glucose),the vascular contraction responses to phenylephrine (PE) decreased compared to control group (containing 11 mmol/L of glucose). (2)Coincubation with curcumin (3×10~(-11)-3×10~(-10) mol/L) and high glucose,the high glucose-induced decrease in contraction responses to PE of arteries was partly inhibited. (3)Four hours after incubation with curcumin,the HO activity in thoracic aorta increased. ZnPP,an inhibitor of HO-1,completely abrogated the protection effect of curcumin. (4)Methylene blue,an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase (GC),partly abolished the protective effect of curcumin. CONCLUSION: Curcumin prevents the high glucose-induced decrease in contraction responses to PE in intact aortic rings. The mechanism might be mainly involved in the activation of HO-1 and GC.