The effect of repeated thermal stimulation on the viability and functioning of inflamed endothelial cells in the umbilicus / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To determine any effect of repeated thermal stimulation on the viability and functioning of inflamed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods:Well-cultured HUVECs were divided into a normal group, a model group, a thermal stimulation 5 times group (group A), a thermal stimulation 9 times group (group B) and a thermal stimulation 13 times group (group C) and cultured under the same conditions. The normal group was not given any intervention. The model group was stimulated with 1μg/mL lipopolysaccharide for 1 hour. Groups A, B and C were first subjected to 5, 9 and 13 rounds of repeated thermal stimulation, each round lasting 4 minutes at 43℃ and 1 minute at room temperature. They were then incubated for one hour at 37℃ under a 5% CO 2 atmosphere with 1μg/mL lipopolysaccharide. Cell viability and the expression of NF-κB were evaluated using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and immunofluorescence assays. The levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results:After the intervention, the average cell viability of the model group and of groups A and C was significantly lower than that of the normal group, while that of group B was significantly higher. After the intervention, the average NF-κB expression in the normal group was significantly different from that in the others, with group B′s level significantly different from that of the model group. After the treatment, the average expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the model group had increased significantly, while that in groups A, B and C had decreased significantly compared with the normal group. The levels of groups A, B and C were then significantly different from that of the model group. The average ICAM-1 level of group B was significantly different from those of groups A and C.Conclusions:Repeated thermal stimulation can protect inflamed HUVECs and reduce the expression of HUVEC adhesion molecules.