Effects of Melatonin on Apoptosis of Rat Mesangial Cells Cultured in High Glucose and the Expression of Caspase-3

Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Melatonin on apoptosis of rat mesangial cells cultured in high glucose and the expression of Caspase-3.Methods:Rat mesangial cells were cultured in DMEM with low glucose concentration(5.5 mmol/L)、high glucose concentration (30 mmol/L) and different concentrations of Melatonin-MT-low dose group(10-9mmol/L);MT-mild moderate dose group(10-7mmol/L); MT-high dose group(10-5mmol/L) for 72 h. Melatonin treated apoptotic mesangial cells were observed by electron microscopy. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Caspase-3 was tested by immunocytochemistry.Results:The apoptosis ratio of MT-low dose group were (24.43±1.70)%;and that of MT-mild moderate dose group were (20.07±1.93)%; and that of MT-high dose group were 16.32%±1.41%, fewer MCs underwent apoptosis(P0.05) in MT group. The expression of Caspase-3 in mesangial cells were significantly decreased in MT group.Conclusion:MT can inhibit the MCs apoptosis induced by high glucose(30 mmol/L) (P0.05) partly by lowering the expression of Caspase-3.