丹参素对血管平滑肌细胞钙化和凋亡的抑制作用

目的：探讨丹参素对血管平滑肌细胞（VSMCs）凋亡和钙化的影响。方法：β-磷酸甘油诱导培养的VSMCs发生钙化；通过细胞钙含量和碱性磷酸酶（ALP）活性测定，判断钙化程度；用Western blot方法检测细胞中骨形成蛋白BMP-2、凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2和cleaved caspase 3的蛋白水平。结果：与正常组相比，β-磷酸甘油引起VSMCs中钙含量和ALP活性明显增加。丹参素显著抑制β-磷酸甘油引起的钙化VSMCs中的钙含量和ALP活性。Western blot结果显示β-磷酸甘油可引起VSMCs中BMP-2，bax和cleaved caspase 3的蛋白水平显著增高，Bcl-2蛋白水平明显降低；丹参素可明显改善钙化的VSMCs中上述蛋白的变化。结论：丹参素可以抑制VSMCs发生钙化和凋亡，此效应可能与抑制BMP-2、bax和cleaved caspase 3的蛋白水平，上调Bcl-2蛋白水平有关。

Effects of Danshensu on the calcification and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Danshensu on the calcification and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).METHODS Calcification of cultured VSMCs was induced by β-glycerophosphate. Calcium content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured to determine the degree of calcification. Protein levels of bone morphogenetic protein BMP-2, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3 were detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the normal group, β-glycerophosphate resulted in a significant increase in calcium content and ALP activity in VSMCs. Danshensu significantly inhibited calcium content and ALP activity in calcified VSMCs induced by β-glycerophosphate.Western blot results showed that β-glycerophosphate brought about a significant increase in the protein levels of BMP-2, Bax and cleaved caspase 3, and a significant decrease in the level of Bcl-2 protein in VSMCs; Danshensu significantly improved the changes of these proteins in calcified VSMCs.CONCLUSION Danshensu can inhibit the calcification and apoptosis of VSMCs, which may be related to the inhibition of protein levels of BMP-2, bax and cleaved caspase 3 and up-regulation of Bcl-2 protein level.