The effects of allicin on proliferation and c-myc gene expression of vascular smooth muscle cells in rabbits

Objective To explore the effects of allicin on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) in rabbits induced by homocysteine(Hcy) and the possible underling mechanisms.Methods The primary VSMCs cultured by attachment-block in vitro were induced by Hcy to establish cell proliferating model and divided into six groups: control,Hcy stimulation(Hcy 1 mmol/L),high(Allicin 10 μg/ml+ Hcy 1 mmol/L),middle(Allicin 5 μg/ml+ Hcy 1 mmol/L),low dose allicin(Allicin 2.5 μg/ml+ Hcy 1 mmol/L),folic acid(folic acid 5 mmol/L+ Hcy 1 mmol/L) groups.Activity of cell proliferation was measured by MTT colorimetric method.The PCNA expression was detected by immunocytochemical technique.The method of Real-time PCR was used to observe the mRNA expression of c-myc.Results After Hcy stimulation,the activity of cell proliferation,the expressions of c-myc mRNA and PCNA were obviously higher than those of control group(P0.01).The activity of cell proliferation,the expressions of c-myc mRNA and PCNA were lower in high,middle and low dose allicin groups than those of Hcy stimulation group,presenting dose dependent(P0.01or P0.05),the better effect in high and middle dose allicin groups than folic acid group(P0.01 or P0.05).Conclusions Allicin could obviously inhibit the VSMCs proliferation induced by Hcy,and the mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expression of c-myc gene.