Inhibitive effects of atorvastatin on homocysteineinduced endoplasmic reticulum stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
JIA Fang1, SUN Jian-hui1, WU Chun-fang2, CHEN Zhen-yue2, LU Guo-ping2
(1.Department of Cardiology，the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou, Changzhou Jiangsu 213003; 2.Department of Cardiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025)
Abstract：Objective: To examine the effects of atorvastatin on homocysteine(Hcy)-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) activation and cell apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: HUVECs were incubated with various concentrations of Hcy in the presence or absence of atorvastatin. Apoptosis rate was recorded, and expression levels of ERS markers(BiP, CHOP, p-eIF2α and pPERK) were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Results： Hcy increased the expression of ERS markers in a dose-dependent manner. Atorvastatin could suppress ERS activation and decrease the apoptosis induced by Hcy in HUVECs. Conclusion: Atorvastatin inhibited Hcy-induced ERS in HUVECs. The protective effect of atorvastatin against Hcyinduced apoptosis was partially mediated by ERS inhibition.
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2012, Vol. 22 
