Effect of lovastatin on proliferation and extracellular matrix secretion of rat mesangial cells in culture

Objective:To investigate the effect of lovastatin on proliferation and extracellular matrix secretion of rat mesangial cells in vitro. Methodology:Rat mesangial cells were incubated with different concentration of lovastatin,ranged from 0,0 1,1,5,10,20,to 50 μmol/L.Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay,cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry,and type Ⅳ collagen and laminin were determined by ELISA. Results:Administration of 0 1 to 50 μmol/L lovastatin into culture medium had no toxic to mesangial cells;however,it could significantly inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cells with affecting the cycle of cells in dose dependent manner.Those results could be almost completely reversed by geranyl geranypyrophosphate.In addition,lovastatin could markedly inhibit type Ⅳ collagen and laminin secretion in mesangial cells. Conclusion:Lovastatin can significantly inhibit mesangial cell proliferation,and type Ⅳ collagen and laminin secretion,which might be related to its inhibitory effect of geranyl geranypyrophosphate formation.