Effect Of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin On Endothelial Cell Apoptosis Cultured In Medium Containing Uremic Serum

Objective To explore the effect of uremic serum on cell apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs), and its intervention by recombinant human erythropoietin(rhEPO).Methods HUVEC were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group(including 10% healthy serum medium), uremic group(including 10% uremic serum medium), rhEPO treatment group (rhEPO(5,10,15U/mL) was added to 10% uremic serum medium). HUVEC was cultured for 48h in vitro. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay, and reactive oxygen species were detected by colorimetry.Results HUVEC apoptosis and ROS were higher in the presence of uremic serum than that of healthy serum(P<0.01). With the addition of rhEPO(5,10,15U/ml) in culture medium, the percentage of apoptotic cells and the production of ROS in HUVEC were inhibited(P<0.01), and the inhibition was rhEPO concentration dependent(P<0.05). Correlation analysis shows that there was positive correlation between apoptotic index and ROS level, and the concentration of rhEPO was negatively correlated with ROS level.Conclusion Uremic serum can induce HUVEC apoptosis, and the mechanism may be related to oxidative stress; rhEPO can inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis induced by uremic serum through ameliorating oxidative stress.