Simvastatin combined with nifedipine enhances endothelial cell protection by inhibiting ROS generation and activating Akt phosphorylation

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the protective effects of simvastatin (Sim) combined with nifedipine (Nif) on endothelial cells and elucidate the action mechanism.Methods:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used. mRNA and protein levels were measured by using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Intracellular calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using confocal microscopy. The Griess assay was used to evaluate nitric oxide (NO) release.Results:Treatment of HUVEC with H2O2 100 mol/L for 30 min inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). With increased concentrations of Nif, eNOS mRNA and protein levels increased (P0.05). Combined treatment with Sim 1.0 mol/L and Nif 1.0 mol/L significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of eNOS and NO release compared with Sim or Nif alone (P<0.05). The combination significantly lowered the intracellular ROS level (P<0.05), which was correlated with the increase in eNOS and NO, but there was no visible change in intracellular calcium (P>0.05). Compared with individual drug treatment, Akt phosphorylation and the ratio of p-eNOS/eNOS were up-regulated in the combination group, and this effect was inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002.Conclusion:The Sim-Nif combination effectively protects HUVEC against H2O2 injury by inhibiting intracellular ROS generation, increasing the ratio of p-eNOS/eNOS and up-regulating Akt phosphorylation. © 2010 CPS and SIMM All rights reserved.