Effects of Puerarin on Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling and Protein Kinase C-α in Chronic Cigarette Smoke Exposure Smoke-exposed Rats

In order to investigate the effects of puerarin on pulmonary vascular remodeling and protein kinase C-α (PKC-α) in chronic exposure smoke rats, 54 male Wistar rats were randomly di- vided into 7 groups: control group (C group), smoke exposure groups (S4w group, Saw group), puer- arin groups (P4w group, P8w group), propylene glycol control groups (PC4w group,PC8w group). Rats were exposed to cigarette smoke or air for 4 to 8 weeks. Rats in puerarin groups also received puer- arin. To evaluate vascular remodeling, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SM-actin) staining was used to count the percentage of completely muscularised vessels to intraacinar pulmonary arteries (CMA/IAPA) which was determined by morphometric analysis of histological sections. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) apoptosis was detected by in situ end labeling technique (TUNEL), and proliferation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining. Reverse transcrip- tion-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis were done to detect the PKC-α mRNA and protein expression in pulmonary arteries. The results showed that in cigarette smoke-exposed rats the percentage of CMA/IAPA and α-SM-actin expres- sion were increased greatly, PASMC apoptosis was increased and proliferation was markedly in- creased; Apoptosis indices (AI) and proliferation indices (PI) were higher than in C group; AI and PI were correlated with vascular remodeling indices; The expression of PKC-ct mRNA and protein in pulmonary arteries was significantly higher than in C group. In rats treated with puerarin, the per- eentage of CMA/IAPA and cell proliferation was reduced, whereas PASMC apoptosis was increased; The expression levels of PKC-α mRNA and protein were lower than in smoke exposure rats. There was no difference among all these data between S groups and PC groups. These findings suggested that cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling was most likely an effect of the imbal- ance of PASMC proliferation and apoptosis. Puerarin appears to be able to reduce cell proliferation and vascular remodeling possibly through PKC signaling transduction pathway.     

ERK1/2 Promotes cigarette smoke-induced rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation and pulmonary vascular remodeling via up-regulating cycline1 expression

This study investigated the potential role of ERK1/2-cyclinE1 signaling pathway in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (rPASMCs) proliferation and pulmonary vascular remodeling induced by cigarette smoke exposure. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (C group), S-1M, S-3M and S-6M groups (animals in the groups were exposed to smoke for 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively). HE staining and anti-α-smooth muscle actin antibody staining were performed to observe the degree of pulmonary vascular remodeling. Immunohistochemis- try and Western blotting were performed to evaluate ERK1/2 and cyclinE1 expression in pulmonary vessels. Primary cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (rPASMCs) were exposed to ciga- rette smoke extract (CSE). ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and cyclinE1 siRNA were used to verify the role of ERK1/2 and cyclinE1 in CSE-induced rPASMCs proliferation. Cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. Our results showed that abnormal pulmo- nary vascular remodeling was found in cigarette smoked rats. Compared to C group, activated ERK1/2 and cyclinE1 expression was significantly increased in smoke-exposure groups. This up-regulated ex- pression was positively correlated with the severity of pulmonary vascular remodeling, and there was positive correlation between the expression of ERK1/2 and cyclinE1. PD98059 and cyclinE1 siRNA in- hibited the proliferation of rPASMCs. The expression of cyclinE1 could be down-regulated by PD98059. Our data demonstrated that increased expression of ERK1/2 and cyclinE1 might be involved in the pathogenesis of abnormal rPASMCs proliferation and rat pulmonary vascular remodelling induced by cigarette smoke exposure.     

Effects and mechanism of oridonin on pulmonary hypertension induced by chronic hypoxia-hypercapnia in rats

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension （PAH） is characterized by suppressing apoptosis and enhancing cell proliferation in the vascular wall. Inducing pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMC） apoptosis had been regarded as a therapeutic approach for PAH. Oridonin can cause apoptosis in many cell lines, while little has been done to evaluate its effect on PASMC. Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups： normal control （NC）; hypoxia-hypercapnia （HH）; Hypoxia-hypercapnia ＋ oridonin （HHO）. Rats were exposed to hypoxia-hypercapnia for four weeks. Cultured human PASMC （HPASMC） were assigned to three groups： normoxia （NO）; hypoxia （HY）; hypoxia ＋ oridonin （HO）. The mean pulmonary artery pressure, mass ratio of right ventricle over left ventricle plus septum （RV/（LV＋S））, the ratio of thickness of the pulmonary arteriole wall to vascular external diameter （WT%） and the ratio of the vessel wall area to the total area （WA%） were measured. Morphologic changes of pulmonary arteries were observed under light and electron microscopes. The apoptotic characteristics in vitro and in vivo were detected. Results The mPAP, RW（LV＋S）, WT%, and WA% in the HH group were significantly greater than those in the NC （P 〈0.01） and HHO groups （P 〈0.01）; the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and the expressions of Bax, cyt-C and apoptotic index （AI） in the group HH were less than those in the NC and HHO groups; and the expression of Bcl-2 in group HH was greater than that in the NC and HHO groups. HPASMC mitochondrial membrane potentials in group HO was lower than in group HY （P 〈0.01）, and cyt-C in the cytoplasm, AI, and caspase-9 in the HO group were greater than that in the HY group （P 〈0.01）, but the expression of Bcl-2 in the HO group was less than that in the HY group （P 〈0.05）. Conclusions The results suggest that oridonin can lower pulmonary artery pressure effectively, and inhibit pulmonary artery structural remodeling by inducing smooth cell apoptosis via a mitochondria-dependent pathway.     

Dynamic Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Rat Model of Pulmonary Emphysema Induced by Smoke Exposure

In order to explore the roles of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema,male Wistar rats were randomized into group A1,group A2.5 and group A4,each with smoke exposure for 1 month,2.5 months or 4 months,respectively.Group B1,group B2.5 and group B4 were used as non smoking controls at corresponding time points.TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) and expression of VEGF in lung tissue was determined by ELISA or by SABC immunohistochemistry assay either.Lung slices were stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE).Results showed that in animal with smoke exposure the mean linear interceptor(Lm),an index of pulmonary emphysema and the content of TNF-α in BALF increased gradually,on contrary,the expression of VEGF in lung tissue decreased(P<0.05).This phenomenon was not obvious in animals without smoke exposure.Lm was negatively correlated to the VEGF expression(γ=-0.81,P<0.01) and positively correlated to TNF-α concentration(γ = 0.52,P<0.004),which implies that smoke exposure decreased the expression of VEGF and increased the expression of TNF-α.It is plausible to speculate that the imbalance of TNF-α and VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema.     

Changes of Protein Kinase Cα and Cyclin D1 Expressions in Pulmonary Arteries from Smokers with and without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of protein kinase Ca （PKCα） and cyclin D1 expressions in pulmonary arteries from＇smokers with normal lung function and smokers with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. The peripheral lung tissues were obtained from 10 non-smokers with normal lung function （non-smoker group）, 14 smokers with normal lung function （smoker group）, 11 smokers with mild to moderate COPD （COPD group）. The morphological changes of pulmonary arteries were observed by HE-staining. The expressions of ct-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）, proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）, PKCα and cyclin D1 proteins in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMCs） were immunohistochemically determined. The percentages of PCNA-positive cells were taken as the smooth muscle cells proliferation index （PI）. The mRNA expressions of PKCα and cyclin D l in PASMCs were evaluated by real-time fluorescence PCR. Morphometrical analysis showed that the ratio of pulmonary artery wall area to total area （WA%） in smoker group and COPD group was significantly greater than that in non-smoker group （P〈0.01）. The PASMCs proliferation index in smoker group and COPD group was significantly higher than that in nonsmoker group （P〈0.01）. The protein levels of PKCct and cyclin D1 inPASMCs were significantly increased in smoker group and COPD group as compared with non-smoker group （P〈0.01）. The mRNA expressions of PKCα and cyclin D1 in PASMCs were significantly elevated in smoker group and COPD group as compared with non-smoker group （P〈0.01）. Significant correlations were found between PKCα protein and WA% or PI （P〈0.01）. Correlations between cyclin D1 protein and WA% or PI also existed （P〈0.01）. The expression of PKCa was positively correlated with the expression of cyclin D 1 at both protein and mRNA levels （P〈0.01）. In conclusion, increased expressions of PKCα and cyclin D1 might be involved in the pathogenesis of abnormal proliferation of PASMCs in smokers with normal lung function and smokers with mild to moderate COPD.     

Effect of Yifei Huoxue Granule (益肺活血颗粒) on the proliferation of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells upon exposure to chronic hypoxic conditions in vitro

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of Yifei Huoxue Granule （益肺活血颗粒,YFHXG） on the hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells（PASMCs） and its mechanism of decreasing pulmonary arterial pressure.Methods:Twenty male Sprague-Dawley（SD） rats were randomly divided into four groups:saline,and 0.66,3.30 and 16.50 g/kg of YFHXG groups,the saline and different concentrations of YFHXG were given twice daily for 7 days,respectively.Serum-pharmacology method was used in the preparation of YFHXG serum.Tissue block anchorage was employed in the primary culture of rat PASMCs.The PASMCs were randomly divided into normoxia group,hypoxia group,and hypoxia+YFHXG group （0.66,3.30 and 16.50 g/kg doses of YFHXG-treated serum groups,exposed to hypoxic condition）.PASMCs in normoxia and hypoxia group were cultured with saline serum,hypoxia+YFHXG groups were cultured with different concentrations of YFHXG serum.Cell viability was assessed with 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide（MTT） assay.Cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry.In addition,hypoxia inducible factor-1-alpha（HIF-1α） protein expression was evaluated by immunocytochemistry analysis,the concentration of intracellular reactive oxygen species（ROS） and Ca²⁺ were determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy（LSCM）.Results:MTT assay and flow cytometry showed that hypoxia could directly activate the proliferation of PASMCs,while YFHXG dose-dependently inhibited hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs.Immunocytochemistry showed that hypoxia enhanced HIF-1αprotein expression,and LSCM showed that hypoxia significantly increased intracellular ROS and Ca²⁺,while YFHXG decreased the expression of HIF- 1αand attenuated the hypoxia-induced increase in intracellular concentration of ROS and Ca²⁺.Conclusions: YFHXG could inhibit hypoxia-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs,which may decrease pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular remodeling.The anti-hypoxia effect of YFHXG may be explained by its regulation of HIF-1α expression and of the levels of intracellular ROS and Ca²⁺.     

The effect of spinal cord injury on the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in rat articular cartilage

Objective： To observe the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in the spinal cord injured rat model and discuss the significance of the articular cartilage metabolism. Methods： 36 SD female rats were randomly divided into 2 groups： Rats models of spinal cord injury were implemented by Allen method. T10 laminectomy was performed in the control group. Both groups of rats were killed respectively in 1w, 3w and 6w. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was given to each slice in the model group and control group. Immunohistochemical stain was applied by using ABC method in the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α. Those expressed level were performed in image analysis and statistics process. Results： TGF-β and TNF-α were mainly distributed on the surface layer of the articular cartilage, with a weak expression in control group. The expression of TNF-α in the model group was more significant than that in the control group in the lw, and still remained an evident difference with that in control group until the 6w（P 〈 0.05）. TGF-β expression of the model group had no remarkable difference with the control group in the lw （P 〉 0.05） and prominently became stronger at 6w（P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： The expression of TNF-α occurred early in the development of spinal cord injury, and the expression of TGF-β became stronger with the revival of spinal neural function. Both expressions were strengthened in articular cartilage in the 3rd week.     

Iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, inhibits pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation by downregulation of PKC-α

Iptakalim is a new ATP-sensitive potassium (K ATP ) channel opener, and it inhibits the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and pulmonary vascular remodeling. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, we found that iptakalim significantly decreased pulmonary artery pressure, inhibited pulmonary ariery remodeling and PKC-α overexpression in chronic hypoxia in a rat pulmonary hypertension model. Iptakalim reduced hypoxia-induced expression of PKC-α, ...     

Cigarette smoke extract promotes human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation through protein kinase C alpha-dependent induction of cyclin D1

Background Exposure to cigarette smoke stimulates the proliferation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （HPASMCs） in vivo and in vitro. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed at investigating the role of signaling pathways involving protein kinase C alpha （PKCα） and cyclin D1 in the cigarette smoke extract （CSE）-induced HPASMCs proliferation.Methods Synchronized HPASMCs were treated with different concentrations of CSE. Cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyttetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay and cell counting. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining. Activation of PKCα was measured by detecting the expression of PKCαprotein in the cytosolic and membrane fractions using Western blotting analysis. Small interfering RNA （siRNA） was used to knockdown PKCα and cyclin D1. The cyclin D1 mRNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. The PKCα and cyclin D1protein levels were detected by Western blotting.Results Low concentrations of CSE （1%-10%） stimulated proliferation of HPASMCs, with its maximal effect at 5%.CSE （5%） led to PKCα activation. Inhibition of PKCα activity using G（o） 6976 or siRNA-mediated knockdown of PKCα significantly attenuated CSE-induced cell proliferation and G1/S transition. Cyclin D1, one of key regulators of G1/S transition, was found to be upregulated by 5% CSE at both the mRNA and protein levels. CSE-stimulated cellproliferation and G1/S transition was abolished by cyclin D1 siRNA. Moreover, G（o） 6976 or PKCα siRNA significantlysuppressed CSE-induced upregulation of cyclin D1 at both the mRNA and protein levels.Conclusion PKCα-cyclin D1 pathway at least partially mediates the CSE-induced proliferation in HPASMCs.     

The effect of spinal cord injury on the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in rat articular cartilage

Objective: To observe the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in the spinal cord injured rat model and discuss the significance of the articular cartilage metabolism. Methods: 36 SD female rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: Rats models of spinal cord injury were implemented by Allen method. T10 laminectomy was performed in the control group. Both groups of rats were killed respectively in 1w, 3w and 6w. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was given to each slice in the model group and control group. Immunohistochemical stain was applied by using ABC method in the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α. Those expressed level were performed in image analysis and statistics process. Results: TGF-β and TNF-α were mainly distributed on the surface layer of the articular cartilage, with a weak expression in control group. The expression of TNF-α in the model group was more significant than that in the control group in the 1w, and still remained an evident difference with that in control group until the 6w(P ＜ 0.05). TGF-β expression of the model group had no remarkable difference with the control group in the lw (P ＞ 0.05) and prominently became stronger at 6w(P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of TNF-o occurred early in the development of spinal cord injury, and the expression of TGF-β became stronger with the revival of spinal neural function. Both expressions were strengthened in articular cartilage in the 3rd week.     

Time-dependent Expression of PEDF and VEGF in Blood Serum and Retina of Rats with Oxygen-induced Retinopathy

The effects of the balance changes of pigment epithelium growth factor(PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in whole-body and retinal tissue on rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy were investigated. Forty-eight neonatal SD rats at the age of 7 days were randomly divided into 4 groups. The neonatal rats in experimental groups were exposed to 75% to 80% oxygen for 5 days and then to normal air, and those in control groups were kept feeding in normal air. At the age of 17 and 22 days, all the neonatal rats received retina angiography with FITC-dextran and the pathological changes of retinal vessels and perfusion were observed. HE staining of the tissue section and the number counting of endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were performed to evaluate the endothelial proliferation. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of PEDF and VEGF in retinal tissue, and ELISA to detect their expression in serum. A hypoxic-ischemic proliferation of retina and more endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were found in the neonatal rats in both experimental groups of 17-day old and 22-day old as compared with those in control group with the difference being statistically significant(P<0.01). VEGF staining of the rats in the 17-day old experimental group was significantly stronger, with an increasing positive rate, than that of the rats in the 17-day old control group(P<0.01). PEDF staining of the rats of 22 days old was weaker than that of the rats of 17 days old in the experimental groups(P<0.01). There was no significant difference in serum VEGF concentration among all groups(P>0.05). The serum PEDF concentration in the rats of 17 days old in experimental group was decreased significantly as compared with that in the rats of 17 days old in control group(P<0.01), and in experimental groups, the serum PEDF concentration of the rats of 22 days old was increased as compared with that of the rats of 17 days old(P<0.01). In conclusion, the obviously decreased serum PEDF concentration and the abnormal enhanced expression of VEGF density in local retinal tissue broke down the balance of PEDF/VEGF in whole-body or local tissues, which might play an important role in retinal vascular proliferation.     

Effect of Combination Regimen of Low-dose Gossypol Acetic Acid with Steroid Hormones on Expression of Protein Kinase C alpha （PKC-tx） and Cyclin D1 in Rat Testes

Objective To investigate the contraceptive mechanism of combination regimen of low-dose gossypol acetic acid (GA) with steroid hormones [desogestre/ethinylestradiol/testosterone undecanote(DSG/EE/TU)]. Methods Adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group GH: rats were fed orally with gossypol acetic acid (GA, 12.5mg/kg) and desogestrel (DSG, 0.125mg/kg)/ ethinylestradiol (EE, 0.025mg/kg)/testosterone undecanoate (TU, 100mg/kg per day, qd×4 weeks or 10 weeks); group G: a single dose of GA (12.5mg/kg per day, qd×4 weeks or 10 weeks); group H: the same dosage of DSG/EE/TU as in group GH; group C: rats were treated with vehicle (1% methyl cellulose) as the control. Expression of protein kinase C alpha (PKC-α) and cyclin D1 in rat testes were tested mainly by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting. Results IHC results showed that protein PKC-α was expressed mainly in interstitial tissue of testis among seminiferous tubule. The expression of PKC-α in groups H and GH at week 10 was decreased greatly compared with that in group C. The protein cyclin D1 was expressed mainly in residual body of seminiferous tubule cavosurface and interstitial tissue among seminiferous tubule of testis. Western blotting results showed that the expression of PKC-α in groups H and GH at week 10 was decreased significantly compared with that in group C (P<0.05). The expression of cyclin D1 in groups G, H or GH at week 10 rose significantly compared with that in group C (P<0.05).Conclusion The administration of low-dose gossypol acetic acid with steroid hormones for 10 weeks can decrease the expression of PKC-α greatly.     

Effect of cigarette smoke extraction on the expression of found in inflammatory zone 1 in rat lung epithelial L2 cells

Background Found in inflammatory zone 1 （FIZZ1） protein increased in pulmonary epithelial cells and in limited amounts of other lung cells.FIZZ1 increased in murine model of smoke induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.However,the direct role of FIZZ1 produced by pulmonary epithelium stimulated with cigarette smoke extraction has not been determined.We examined the expression and function of FIZZ1 in rat lung epithelial L2 cells.Methods The rat lung epithelial L2 cells （CCL 149） were exposed to cigarette smoke extraction,expression of FIZZ1 mRNA was investigated by RT-PCR.Levels of FIZZ1 protein were detected by Western blotting and laser confocal microscope.CCL 149 cells were treated with different concentrations and for different time of recombinant protein FIZZ1.After treatment,the expression levels of interleukin 8 （IL-8） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）.Results When CCL 149 cells were exposed to cigarette smoke extraction,FIZZ1 mRNA and protein levels expressed significantly higher than control group.Recombinant protein FIZZ1 promoted the expression of IL-8 in a dose and time dependent manner in a certain range.Conclusions Cigarette smoke extraction activates FIZZ1 at mRNA and protein levels in CCL 149 cells.Recombinant protein FIZZ1 induces the expression of IL-8 and may thus participate in the process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease airway inflammation and airflow obstruction.Generally,immune cells such as macrophages,neutrophils and lymphocytes are unavoidably involved in airway inflammatory and immune responses to cigarette smoke,but it is still unclear whether their involvement in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is based on the specific expression in lung epithelial cells of FIZZ1.     

Effect of berberine on expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α in rats with fructose-induced insulin resistance

The effects of berberine on the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α （HNF-4α） in liver of rats with fructose-induced insulin resistance and the molecular mechanism of berberine preventing insulin resistance were investigated. The experimental animals were divided into two groups of 16 animals each. The control group received a control routine diet containing 60% carbohydrate, and the study group a high-fructose diet containing 60% fructose as the sole source of carbohydrate. At the end of 6 weeks these were each subdivided into two groups. One was administered with berberine [187.5 mg/（kg·d） in 5 g/L carboxymethyl cellulose] by intragastric intubation and the other group was treated with a vehicle （5 g/L carboxymethyl cellulose）. The rats were fed on the same dietary regimen for the next 4 weeks. After the experimental period of 10 weeks, plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels were measured. HOMA insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was assayed. Immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of HNF-4α in liver. Compared with control diet, fructose feeding induced hyperinsulinemia, HOMA-IR and increased triglyceride （all P〈0.01）. Berberine prevented the rise in plasma insulin （P〈0.01）, HOMA-IR （P〈0.01） and triglyceride （P〈0.05） in the fructose-fed rats. No change in plasma glucose was seen among these groups. The mRNA and protein expression of HNF-4α was decreased in the fructose-fed rats, but berberine could promote its expression. It was concluded that berberine could prevent fructose-induced insulin resistance in rats possibly by promoting the expression HNF-4α in liver.     

Effects of different dose endothelin-1 on expession of peroxisome proliferator-γ in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells of adult rats

Objective： To investigate the effects of endothlin-1 （ET-1） on vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） proliferation and the expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ （PPAR-γ） in VSMCs. Methods： VSMCs of 16-week-old wistar rats thoracic aorta were cultured. VSMCs were treated by ET-1 for 48 h and observed of the proliferation by MTr. The expression of PPAR-γ mRNA and protein in cultured VSMCs treated by different concentration of ET-1 for 48 h was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results： Compared with control group, VSMCs treated by ET-1 proliferated with the increase concentration of ET-1. There was significant differences among different groups （P 〈 0.01）. Meanwhile,the expression of PPAR-γ both in mRNA and in protein levels deceased. The expression of PPAR-γ in VSMCs was gradually decreased along with the increase concentration of ET-1. There was significant differences among different groups （ P 〈0.01）. Compared with control group, the expression of both PPAR-γ mRNA and PPAR-γ in ET-1 treated groups were lower（ P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion： ET-1 could induce VSMCs proliferation and the expression of PPAR-γ in VSMCs, which demonstrates that high dose ET-1 obviously weakens the function of PPAR-γ to increase VSMCs proliferation.