阿托品,东莨菪碱和山茛菪碱对家兔主动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

<正> 胞浆钙离子对主动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖是必需的,阻断胞外钙离子的内流对细胞增殖产生抑制作用.阿托品类药物除具有M受体阻断作用外,与维拉帕米一样,具有钙通道阻断作用,但其对细胞增殖的影响尚未见报道.本文以培养的家兔胸主动脉平滑肌细胞(aortic smooth muscle cell,ASMC)为材料,研究了阿托品类药物对细胞增殖的影响.     

The pharmacological properties of K+ currents from rabbit isolated aortic smooth muscle cells.

1. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, the effects of several K+ channel blocking drugs on K+ current recorded from rabbit isolated aortic smooth muscle cells were investigated. 2. Upon depolarization from -80 mV, outward K+ current composed of several distinct components were observed: a transient, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive component (I1) and a sustained component (Isus), comprising a 4-AP-sensitive delayed rectifier current (IK(V)), and a noisy current which was sensitive to tetraethylammonium (TEA), and probably due to Ca(2+)-activated K+ current (IK(Ca)). 3. Several drugs in clinical or experimental use have as part of their action an inhibitory effect on specific K+ channels. Because of their differential K+ channel blocking effects, these drugs were used in an attempt to characterize further the K+ channels in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells. Imipramine, phencyclidine, sotalol and amitriptyline failed to block selectively any of the components of K+ current, and were thus of little value in isolating individual channel contributions. Clofilium showed selective block of IK(V) in the presence of TEA, but only at low stimulation frequencies (0.07 Hz). At higher frequencies (1 Hz) of depolarization, both I1 and IK(V) were suppressed to a similar extent. Thus, the blocking action of clofilium was use-dependent. 4. The voltage-dependent inactivation of I1 and the delayed rectifier were very similar although a brief (100 ms) pre-pulse to -30 mV could preferentially inactivate I1. Together with the non-selective blocking effects of the K+ channel blockers, similarities in the activation and inactivation of these two components suggest that they may not exist as separate ionic channels, but as distinct kinetic states within the same K+ channel population. 5. The effects of all of these drugs on tension were examined in strips of rabbit aorta. The non-specific K+ channel blockers caused only minor increases in basal tension. TEA and 4-AP by themselves caused significant increases in tension and were even more effective when applied together. There appeared to be no correlation between the effects of the drugs tested on tension and their actions on currents recorded from isolated myocytes. Thus tension studies are an inappropriate means of investigating the mechanism of action of these drugs, and studies on ionic currents in isolated myocytes cannot easily predict drug actions on intact tissues.     

人参炔醇对大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的抑制作用及机制

目的观察人参炔醇(panaxynol,PNN)对大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞(RASMC)增殖的抑制作用及机制。方法由细胞计数、[3H]TdR参入试验确定细胞增殖率,采用分子探针Fura-3/AM及共聚焦显微镜检测胞内游离Ca2+浓度([Ca2+]i),RT-PCR方法观察线粒体转录因子1(m tTF1)mRNA的表达。结果PNN以浓度依赖方式抑制血清及PDGF-BB诱导的RASMC增殖和DNA合成;9μmol.L-1PNN预处理RASMC能抑制PDGF-BB引起的[Ca2+]i升高;PDGF-BB上调RASMC m tTF1 mRNA表达,该作用可被3、9μmol.L-1的PNN抑制。结论PNN具有抗RASMC增殖作用,该作用与降低[Ca2+]i和抑制m tTF1 mRNA表达有关。     

The inhibitory effect and mechanism of luteolin 7-glucoside on rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

The abnormal proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty and possibly also in the development of hypertension. The present study was designed to examine the inhibitory effects and the mechanism of luteolin 7-glucoside (L7G) on the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of VSMCs. L7G significantly inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and the DNA synthesis of the VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Pre-incubation of the VSMCs with L7G significantly inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Akt and the phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma1 activation. However, L7G had almost no affect on the phosphorylation of PDGF-beta receptor tyrosine kinase, which was induced by PDGF-BB. These results suggest that L7G inhibits the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of VSMCs via the blocking of PLC-gamma1, Akt, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation.     

The rat anococcygeus muscle is a convenient bioassay organ for the airway epithelium-derived relaxant factor

The response to epithelium-derived relaxant factor (EpDRF) released from guinea-pig trachea by acetylcholine was studied in the precontracted rat anococcygeus muscle in a coaxial bioassay system. Acetylcholine caused no relaxation of rat anococcygeus muscle which was precontracted with phenylephrine. When the same muscle was placed into a guinea-pig trachea with intact epithelium, acetylcholine produced a slowly developing relaxation which was potentiated by neostigmine and antagonized by atropine but was not altered by indomethacin, propranolol, hydroquinone nor methylene blue. The rat anococcygeus muscle was not relaxed by acetylcholine when it was placed in an epithelium-free trachea. The results indicate that acetylcholine releases EpDRF from guinea-pig trachea and that rat anococcygeus muscle is a convenient organ for the bioassay of EpDRF.     

Genistein inhibits rat aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation through the induction of p27kip1

Diet is one of the most important factors that influence the risks for cardiovascular diseases. Genistein, an isoflavone found in soy, may benefit the cardiovascular system. Here, we investigated the effect of genistein on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation of primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Genistein significantly inhibited 25 ng/ml PDGF-BB-induced RASMC proliferation and [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA at 10, 20, and 40 microM. In accordance with these findings, genistein blocked the PDGF-BB-inducible progression through G0/G1 to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells. Western blot analysis showed that genistein not only inhibited phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and expression of cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein, but also inhibited downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) p27kip1. However, genistein did not affect p21cip1, CDK4, and cyclin D1 expression or early signal transduction through PDGF beta-receptor, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), Akt, and phospholipase C (PLC) gamma1 phosphorylation. These results suggest that genistein inhibits PDGF-BB-induced RASMC proliferation via G0/G1 arrest in association with induction of p27kip1, which may contribute to the beneficial effects of genistein on the cardiovascular system.     

Ethanol differentially modulates the expression and activity of cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat aortic smooth muscle cells

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ethanol on cell cycle events during the G(1) and S phases in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Flow cytometric analysis for the DNA content in rat aortic VSMC indicated that following ethanol treatment, the cell population in the G(0)/G(1) phase increased; 57.8+/-1.6% vs. 72.3+/-1.2%, concomitant with a decrease in cells in the S phase; 12.7+/-1.4% vs. 3.67+/-0.6%, for control vs. ethanol, respectively. Western blot analysis on VSMC lysates demonstrated that ethanol (10-160 mmol/l) dose-dependently inhibited serum-induced retinoblastoma (pRb) hyperphosphorylation. While having no effect on Cdk2 protein expression, ethanol dose-dependently decreased (IC(50) approximately 60 mmol/l) Cdk2 activity, assessed by histone H1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, ethanol induced the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21(waf1/cip1), and inhibited the induction of cyclin A. These data demonstrate that modulation of the expression and activity of key cell cycle regulatory molecules may be a mechanism by which ethanol inhibits VSMC proliferation. These actions of ethanol may be relevant to its cardiovascular protective effect in vivo.     

Biochemical and microscopic evidence for the internalization of drug-containing mast cell granules by macrophages and smooth muscle cells

During mast cell degranulation the soluble component of the granule is released into extracellular fluid, whereas two neutral proteases and heparin proteoglycans form the extracellular granule remnants. These structures are negatively charged and bind with high affinity LDL and other basic molecules. In this study we show that granule remnants expelled into extracellular fluid are able to bind the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin and the anticancer agent doxorubicin in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, granule remnants loaded with the two basic substances are subsequently phagocytosed by macrophages. Indeed, when cells are incubated for 24 h with 1 mg/ml gentamicin, the intracellular concentration of the drug, which in basal conditions is extremely low, increases significantly in the presence of degranulating mast cells (from 5.1 +/- 1.0 to 25.4 +/- 2.5 microg/mg protein) and a good correlation between histamine release and gentamicin uptake is evident. The antineoplastic agent doxorubicin can penetrate cells by passive diffusion; however, when mast cells are added to macrophage monolayer, incubated for 30 min with 50 microM of the antineoplastic agent, a significant increase in intracellular doxorubicin concentration is observed (from 3.5 +/- 0.2 to 4.7 +/- 0.2 microg/mg protein). Internalization of granule remnants carrying gentamicin or doxorubicin is also evident in smooth muscle cells of the synthetic phenotype. In particular, when smooth muscle cells are incubated for 24 h with 1 mg/ml gentamicin, addition of isolated granules increases the uptake from 2.4 +/- 0.2 to 4.8 +/- 0.4 microg/mg protein. Similar results are obtained in smooth muscle cells incubated for 4 h with doxorubicin 50 microM (from 3.3 +/- 0.2 to 4.8 +/- 0.5 microg/mg protein). Data are confirmed by microscopic experiments by means of fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopic studies. The study demonstrates that basic substances can enter phagocytic cells when loaded to granule remnants. The phenomenon can be of particular interest for substances like the aminoglycosides that do not cross biological membranes; indeed, the storage of these antibiotics in phagocytic cells could have important consequences on their antibacterial activity in vivo. Macrophages and smooth muscle cells can also act as a reservoir for doxorubicin. High concentrations of the antineoplastic agent in these cells could be responsible for toxicity, as well as play an important role in the transport of the drug to tumor cells.     

The use of preparations of urinary bladder smooth muscle for bioassay of and discrimination between polypeptides

Summary Eleven polypeptides, two prostaglandins and three amines were assayed, in parallel, by measurement of their spasmogenic effect on the isolated urinary bladder of eight animal species, the in situ bladder of three species and the isolated ureter of three species. Several of the smooth muscle preparations examined proved to be sensitive and suitable test-objects for the quantitative bioassay of different peptides. At the same time they appeared to be useful for discriminating not only between peptides belonging to different groups, but also between members of the same peptide family. It is tentatively suggested that biogenic peptides may interfere in the physiological control of motility and tone of the urinary tract smooth muscle.Supported by grants from the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma.     

Inhibitory effect and synergism of cernitin pollen extract on the urethral smooth muscle and diaphragm of the rat

Inhibitory effects of cernitin pollen extract (CN-009), consisting of T-60 (a water-soluble extract) and GBX (an acetone-soluble extract) at a ratio of 20:1, were investigated in rat urethral smooth muscle and diaphragm. In the urethral smooth muscle, CN-009 (3.0 x 10(-4) approximately 3.0 x 10(-3) g/ml), T-60 and GBX (corresponding to CN-009) concentration-dependently inhibited the noradrenaline (NA, 10(-5) g/ml)-induced contraction. According to Bürgi's calculation, the inhibition by T-60 and GBX was synergistic. On the other hand, GBX inhibited the NA-contraction non-competitively and also inhibited the K+-contraction. In contrast, T-60 tended to inhibit competitively, but did not affect the K+-contraction. In the diaphragm, CN-009 (5.25 x 10(-3) approximately 2.1 x 10(-2) g/ml) concentration-dependently inhibited the nerve stimulation-induced twitch response. T-60 (corresponding to CN-009) showed no effect, while GBX slightly inhibited the twitch response. The effects of T-60 and GBX were synergistic. The inhibitory effects of CN-009 (2.1 x 10(-2) g/ml) and GBX (1.0 x 10(-2) g/ml) were specific against the nerve stimulation and were not antagonized by neostigmine (1.0 x 10(-5) g/ml). These results suggested that these effects were neither musculotropic nor competitive against ACh. In conclusion, CN-009 concentration-dependently inhibited the urethral contraction and the skeletal muscular twitch response. It was suggested that T-60 and GBX had different mechanisms and inhibited the response synergistically.     

Purification of phenylethanoids from Brandisia hancei and the antiproliferative effects on aortic smooth muscle

The present study describes the isolation and purification of acteoside, 2'-acetylacteoside, poliumoside and brandioside, four phenylethanoid glycosides from Brandisia hancei. We examined their effects on the proliferation of cultured A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells. The proliferative response was measured from the [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA. All four glycosides suppressed the proliferative response in the presence of 2 % or 5 % fetal bovine serum in a concentration-dependent manner. The rank order of effectiveness for inhibition of cell proliferation was: brandioside > or = poliumoside > 2'-acetylacteoside > or = acteoside. The acetyl group at position 2' of glucose does not seem necessary for the anti-proliferative effects of acteoside and 2'-acetylacteoside, while the hydroxy groups of the aromatic rings appear to play a role. Inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation by phenylethanoids indicates that these compounds may have preventative effects on arteriosclerosis.     

Fangchinoline inhibits rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and cell cycle progression through inhibition of ERK1/2 activation and c-fos expression

Fangchinoline (FAN; a plant alkaloid isolated from Stephania tetrandrae) is a nonspecific Ca(2+) channel blocker. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of FAN on the growth factor-induced proliferation of primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). FAN significantly inhibited both 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)- and 50ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferation, [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In accordance with these findings, FAN revealed blocking of the FBS-inducible progression through G(0)/G(1) to S phase of the cell cycle in synchronized cells and caused a 62% decrease in the early elevation of c-fos expression induced after 5% FBS addition. Furthermore, significant antiproliferative activity of FAN is observed at concentrations below those required to achieve significant inhibition of Ca(2+) channels by FAN. These results suggest that FAN reduced both FBS- and PDGF-BB-induced RASMCs proliferation by perturbing cell cycle progression. This antiproliferative effect of FAN is dependent on the MAP kinase pathway, but cannot be limited to its Ca(2+) modulation.     

A comparison of the action of the endothelium-derived relaxant factor and the inhibitory factor from the bovine retractor penis on rabbit aortic smooth muscle.

The dependence of relaxation of rabbit aortic strips by carbachol and by the inhibitory factor from the bovine retractor penis (BRP) on the presence of endothelium has been compared. Carbachol-induced relaxation is abolished by removing the endothelium, inhibitory factor-induced relaxation is unimpaired. The inhibitory factor, therefore, does not act by releasing an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). The effect of inhibitors of eicosanoid metabolism on relaxation was examined. Quinacrine and nordihydroguaiaretic acid abolished the relaxant effect of carbachol and flurbiprofen had no effect. The relaxation produced by the inhibitory factor was unaffected by quinacrine and flurbiprofen while nordihydroguaiaretic acid potentiated the response. No eicosanoid appears, therefore, to be involved in the relaxant effect of the inhibitory factor from the BRP. Methylene blue, a drug reported to inhibit guanylate cyclase, in a concentration of 10 microM selectively abolished the relaxation produced by carbachol. However, at the higher concentration of 30 microM it abolished almost completely the response to inhibitory factor from the BRP and reduced inhibition by sodium nitroprusside. It is not possible from these results to exclude the possibility that the EDRF and the inhibitory factor from the BRP are chemically related.     

Extracellular matrix-mediated control of aortic smooth muscle cell growth and migration by a combination of ascorbic acid, lysine, proline, and catechins

Extracellular matrix (ECM) function and structure are severely compromised at atherosclerotic lesion sites, contributing to initiation and progression of the disease. This study investigated whether ECM biological properties would be beneficially affected by exposure to nutrients essential for collagen synthesis and posttranslational modification. Confluent layers of human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) grown on collagen substrate were cultured in the presence of the tested compounds for 7 to 10 days. Pretreated cells were removed from the ECM surface by differential treatment and replaced with secondary innocent SMC cultures. Secondary SMC growth rate and invasiveness were assayed in standard growth medium. ECM protein composition was assayed immunochemically. ECM produced in the presence of ascorbic acid reduced SMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Plant-derived phenolic extracts expressed different degrees of SMC growth inhibition when present during ECM production. A combination of selected nutrients had a greater effect than did individual components. The ECM deposited by SMC in the presence of ascorbate, lysine, proline, and green tea catechins inhibited SMC migration rate up to 70%. The ECM produced under conditions of chronic essential nutrient deficiency can support proatherosclerotic SMC behavior. A combination of selected nutrients can counteract these adverse effects stronger than individual components.     

Molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of folate on homocysteinechallenged rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Background and Purpose

Homocysteine is an intermediate product formed during the metabolism of methionine, and is increased in cells with folate deficiency. Patients with hyperhomocysteinemia tend to develop cardiovascular disease. Here, we have examined the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of folate on homocysteine-challenged rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs).

Experimental Approach

Cultures of RASMC were challenged with homocysteine and then incubated with folate added. Changes in p21/p27, AKT and RhoA were followed by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Transfection and anti-sense techniques were also used. Cell viability, growth and migration were measured.

Key Results

Folate up-regulated p21/p27 through a Src/ERK-dependent mechanism that accounted for its anti-proliferative effects on RASMC. Folate protected RASMC from the effects of homocysteine by reducing AKT1, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), paxillin, and p190RhoGAP activation/phosphorylation, along with cytosolic levels of p21 and p27, and increasing RhoA activation. Overexpression of AKT1, but not of AKT2, induced p21/p27 phosphorylation and increased cytosolic p21/p27 levels, as did homocysteine treatment. By contrast, and similarly to folate treatment, transfection with dominant negative (DN) AKT1 counteracted these effects. Additionally, AKT was shown to be an upstream target of FAK activation. In RASMC overexpressing constitutively active RhoA, activation of RhoA mediated the anti-migratory effects of folate. Addition of Y27632 (a RhoA inhibitor) and DNRhoA counteracted the anti-migratory effects, confirming RhoA involvement.

Conclusion and implications

Folate was anti-proliferative and anti-migratory in homocysteine-challenged RASMC. Mechanisms underlying folate-mediated protection against the proatherosclerotic effects of homocysteine have been delineated.     

Effects of KTJ740, a novel antithrombotic agent, on platelet-derived growth factor-induced rat aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and cell cycle progression

Hyperproliferation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is a hallmark of atherosclerosis and related vascular disorders. In the previous study, we reported that KTJ740 [2-chloro-3-(4-(ethylcarboxy)-phenyl)-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone], a newly synthesized vitamin K derivative, has potent antithrombotic effects in mice and antiplatelet activity in vitro and ex vivo. In the present study, we have tested that KTJ740 could inhibit PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMC proliferation. We have examined the potential inhibitory effect of this compound on rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Our results show that this compound significantly inhibits PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMC number and DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, we have examined its effect on cell cycle progression by flow cytometry. KTJ740 treatment resulted in a significant arrest in cell cycle progression of RASMCs induced by PDGF-BB, and this effect was achieved by suppressing activation of PDGF-beta receptor (PDGF-Rbeta) tyrosine kinase pathway. These results suggest that a possibility of KTJ740 can be a potential agent to control vascular disorders and its antiproliferative mechanism may be mediated through PDGF-Rbeta tyrosine kinase-dependent signaling pathway.     

Characterization of two distinct alpha-adrenoceptor binding sites in smooth muscle cell membranes from rat and bovine aorta

Summary In order to characterize postjunctional alpha adrenoceptor binding sites of aortic smooth muscle, the specific binding of (³H)prazosin and (³H)yohimbine to membranes prepared from the medial layers of rat and bovine thoracic aorta was investigated. Binding of (¹²⁵I)-BE 2254 (2-[B-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethylaminomethyl] tetralone) and (³H)RX 781094 (idazoxan) was also examined in bovine membranes. Each of the ligands displayed saturable, specific binding to a single population of sites; the K _D values of the respective ligands were similar in the two animal species. The number of (³H)prazison and (¹²⁵I)BE 2254 binding sites (160–190 fmol · mg protein^–1 in the two species) was higher than the number of (³H)yohimbine and (³H)RX 781094 binding sites (110–120 fmol · mg protein^–1 in the bovine and 50 fmol · mg protein^–1 in the rat). Alpha-adrenoceptor ligands inhibited binding of the ligands with the following orders of potency: prazosin > BE 2254 > yohimbine > RX 781094 > clonidine in the case of (³H)-prazosin, and yohimbine > RX 781094 > clonidine > prazosin in the case of (³H)yohimbine. Methoxamine, in concentrations up to 10 M, was without effect on the binding of either ligand. The absence or presence of Na⁺, K⁺ or Ca²⁺ added at physiological concentrations did not change the order of potency of displacing ligands whereas Ca²⁺ reduced by 50% the numbers of (³H)prazosin and (³H)-yohimbine sites and Na⁺ increased by 3-fold the affinity of (³H)yohimbine.It is concluded that post-junctional membranes from rat and bovine aortic smooth muscle contain two distinct ₁- and ₂-adrenoceptor binding sites, the number of the latter being less than the number of the former.     

Effect of dB-c-AMP and forskolin on the 45Ca influx, net Ca uptake and tension in rabbit aortic smooth muscle

The effects of dibutyril-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dB-c-AMP) and forskolin on aortic tension and 45Ca influx were measured. dB-c-AMP reduced both the rate of force development and the maximal tension achieved in solutions containing various K+ concentrations. Stimulated 45Ca influx was also reduced, however, to a lesser extent than was the tension. Forskolin showed more marked effects of a similar nature. Thus, both these agents which increase intracellular c-AMP caused a rightward shift in the curve expressing force (ordinate) as a function of Ca2+ influx (abscissa). Consequently, we found that dB-c-AMP stimulated more net Ca to be taken up by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) at the same influx rate. The conclusion that c-AMP produced these effects by stimulating Ca uptake into the superficial SR was supported by the finding that dB-c-AMP increased the amount of Ca taken up into a caffeine releasable fraction.     

Corynoxeine isolated from the hook of Uncaria rhynchophylla inhibits rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through the blocking of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by injury to the intima of arteries is an important etiologic factor in vascular proliferative disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Uncaria rhynchophylla is traditional Chinese herb that has been applied to the treatment of convulsive disorders, such as epilepsy, in China. In the present study, we examined whether corynoxeine exerts inhibitory effects on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced rat aortic VSMC proliferation and the possible mechanism of such effects. Pre-treatment of VSMCs with corynoxeine (5-50 microM) for 24 h resulted in significant decreases in cell number without any cytotoxicity; the inhibition percentages were 25.0+/-12.5, 63.0+/-27.5 and 88.0+/-12.5% at 5, 20 and 50 microM, respectively. Also, corynoxeine significantly inhibited the 50 ng/ml PDGF-BB-induced DNA synthesis of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity; the inhibitions were 32.8+/-11.0, 51.8+/-8.0 and 76.9+/-7.4% at concentrations of 5, 20 and 50 microM, respectively. Pre-incubation of VSMCs with corynoxeine significantly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation, whereas corynoxeine had no effects on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK)-activating kinase 1 and 2 (MEK1/2), Akt, or phospholipase C (PLC)gamma1 activation or on PDGF receptor beta (PDGF-Rbeta) phosphorylation. These results suggest that corynoxeine is a potent ERK1/2 inhibitor of key PDGF-BB-induced VSMC proliferation and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases and restenosis after angioplasty.