Effects of contrast media on the apoptosis of glomerular endothelial cells with expression change of Bcl-2/Bax mRNA / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of non-ionic low osmolar contrast media (LOCM) on the apoptosis and mRNA expression of Bcl-2/Bax in rat glomerular endothelial cells cultured in vitro. Methods Rat glomerular endothelial cells were exposed to ioversol with different concentrations for different time. Cell viability was then assessed by MTT method and morphological changes of cells were observed by inverted microscopy. In order to analyze cell apoptosis, DNA electrophoresis was applied. Meanwhile, the expression changes of Bcl-2/Bax at mRNA level were determined by RT-PCR. Results The viability of rat glomerular endothelial cells was inhibited by ioversol in a concentration and time dependent manner. After being exposed to ioversol(90 mL/L)for 24 h, the cells began to become crimple, round, and even floating. A typical DNA ladder determined by agarose gel electrophoresis was observed. Noticeably, the mRNA level of Bcl-2 in ioversol treated cells was down-regulated, while Bax was up-regulated, so that the ratio of Bcl-2 mRNA to Bax mRNA increased significantly. Conclusion Non-ionic LOCM can induce glomerular endothelial cells apoptosis, which may be partly due to the disturbance of Bcl-2/Bax balance. This is probably related to the pathogenesis of contrast media nephropathy.