Effect of urotensin IIon apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Objective To study the effect of urotensin Ⅱ(UⅡ)on inducing apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)and the relationship between [Ca2+]i and this induction of apoptosis.Methods(1)The cultured HUVEC morphology was identified by light microscopy.(2)Group A:U Ⅱwith various concentrations(10-9～10-6 mol/L)was added into the cultured HUVEC,respectively.In addition,diltiazem of 400 ng/mL was added into the control group and the UⅡwith 10-7 mol/L concentration group;Group B:after the UⅡwith 10-7 mol/L concentration was added,the apoptotic rate was observed in different time periods(0 h,12 h,24 h,48 h,and 72 h).(3)The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry and the apoptotic rate was counted.(4)The apoptosis was examined by electron microscopy.Results(1)UⅡinduced the typical apoptosis of HUVEC in a time-dependent manner(P 0.05)and a characteristic dose-dependent manner(P 0.05);(2)Diltiazem might significantly suppress the UⅡ-induced apoptosis.Conclusion UⅡcould induce the apoptosis of HUVEC,which may be associated with the increase of [Ca2+]i.