The mechanisms of lovastatin protecting endothelial progenitor cells / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To explore the mechanisms of lovastatin protecting EPCs.Methods EPCs were preincubated with lovastatin or LOX-1 mAb for 24 h and then exposed to oxLDL for 48 h.The abilities of migration,adhesion,and tube structure formation of EPCs were examined.To explore the mechanisms,the level of NO,the expression of eNOS and LOX-1 protein and mRNA were assayed.Results Incubation of EPCs with oxLDL resulted in the impairment of migration,adhesion and tube structure formation.Furthermore,oxLDL caused the decrease of NO generation,the down-regulation of eNOS mRNA and protein expression,the up-regulation of LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression.However,the detrimental effects of oxLDL on EPCs function were attenuated by lovastatin and LOX-1 mAb.Moreover,the effects of oxLDL on NO generation,eNOS and LOX-1 expression were reversed by lovastatin and LOX-1 mAb.Conclusion Lovastatin protects EPCs by the regulation of eNOS and LOX-1 expression.