Advanced Glycosylation End Products Enhance Expression Of Connective Tissue Growth Factor In Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Objective Advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) are biochemical end products of nonenzymatic glycosylation. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to determine whether CTGF in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is up regulated by AGEs, and whether puerarin (Pue) can reduce increased CTGF expression in HUVECs induced by AGEs.Methods Cultivated HUVECs are treated for 24h with AGE-BSA formed through incubation using glucose of different concentrations, i.e., 20, 50, 80 mmol-L-1. HUVECs are also treated with AGE-BSA for different duration of time, i.e., 0, 12, 24, 48h; and with AGE-BSA-AG for 24h. Puerarin of different concentrations, i.e., 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg-mL-1 is used to incubate HUVECs for 8h, followed by AGE treatment for 24h. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry are used to determine mRNA and protein expression of CTGF.Results Shown by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry, AGEs treatment of HUVECs increases mRNA and protein levels of CTGF. Shown by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry, puerarin of different concerntrations reduce increased CTGF expression in HUVECs treated with AGEs.Conclusion In the present study, advanced glycosylation end products are found out to be able to up regulate CTGF expression in HUVECs. Puerarin is found out to be able to reduce increased CTGF induction in HUVECs by AGEs treatment.