Effect of OX-LDL and simvastatin on PKC activity and cytosolic free Ca~(2+) in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AMI To clarify whether OX-LDL and simvastatin can induce the changes of PKC activity and cytosolic free Ca 2+ in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC). METHODS: PKC activity and cytosolic free Ca 2+ were measured by its ability to transfer phosphate from ATP to lysine-rich histone and flow cytometric analysis after loading with the Ca 2+ dye fluo 3/Am, respectively. RESULTS: OX-LDL increased PKC total activity in a dose-dependent manner and induced translocation of PKC from the cytosolic to membrane, while OX-LDL induced biphasic [Ca 2+ ]i responses including the rapid initial transient phase and the sustained phase. When simvastatin was added, the translocation of PKC was markedly decreased and simvastatin did not impair the initial peak response to OX-LDL but significantly reduced the subsequent plateau phase. CONCLUSSION OX-LDL can induce dynamic changes of signal transduction of PKC and cytosolic free Ca 2+ in ASMC and these two events are closely linked.