Effect of angelica on the expressional changes of cytokines in endothelial cells induced by hyperlipidemic serum

Abstract

The aim of this article was to examine the protective effect of Chinese traditional medicine angelica on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs, ECV₃₀₄) from injury induced by hyperlipidemic serum (HLS) and to study the underlying mechanism. Spectrophotometer and immunocytochemical methods were used to detect the content of nitric oxide (NO) in suspension and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), transforming growth factor β₁ (TGFβ₁), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the cell surface, respectively. After incubated with 50 μl/ml HLS for 24 hours, expression of ICAM‐1 and bFGF in ECs was significantly increased, while expression of TGFβ₁ and the release of NO from ECs were significantly decreased. All these effect of HLS on ECs can be reversed by angelica significantly. The above effect of angelica may be related to its anti‐atherosclerotic action. Our findings provided experimental basement for the clinical application of angelica to prevent the development of atherosclerosis.