Probucol inhibits hydrogen peroxide to induce apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant probucol on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis. H2O2 (1 mmol/l) was used as the VSMC apoptosis-inducing agent, and 100, 10 and 1 μmol/l probucol concentrations were incubated with cells for 6 h. The cell apoptosis was observed using Annexin V-FITC, TUNEL and Hoechst 33258 staining methods. H 2O2 promoted VSMC apoptosis, ASK-1 protein expression increased and Trx-l protein expression decreased. Probucol reduced H 2O2-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner; while ASK-1 protein expression decreased, Trx-1 protein expression increased. Probuco1 is capable of antagonizing the H2O2-induced apoptosis in VSMCs, which may be related to the decrease in ASK-1 protein expression and the increase in Trx-1 protein expression. Copyright © 2013 Spandidos Publications Ltd.