Protective Effects Of Endomorphins On Palmitic Acid Induced Endothelial Apoptosis:Implications Of Bcl-2 Family

Endomorphins(EMs)are endogenous ?-opioid receptor agonists,which are extensively involved in the regulation of respiratory,and cardiovascular functions and the pain sensation.The research is aimd to study the beneficial effects of endomorphins on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)aptopsis under palmitic acid(PA)and it involves the possible mechanism:bcl-2 gene family.Cell proliferation was shown by the MTT viability assay.Spectrophotometry was used to measure the activities of caspase-3.Apoptotic index bax and bcl-2 were performed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and mRNA expression of them were tested by real-time PCR(RT-PCR).The data showed that the EMs could protect the endothelial apoptosis in a dose-dependent way(P<0.05)and upregulate the expression of bcl-2 while restrain the bax.(P<0.05)These findings suggested that EMs may protect HUVECs apoptosis caused by PA via bcl-2 gene family.