Effects of alpha-linolenic acid on damage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells induced by high concentration glucose

AIM To investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid(ALA) on the proliferation and function of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) in presence of high concentration glucose.METHODS Cultured HUVEC were divided into six groups: control group,high glucose group(HG),groups of high glucose plus various concentrations of ALA(10,50,100 and 200 μmol/L).Cell samples were collected 72 hours later and cell proliferation was measured by MTT chromatometry.The endothelial function was evaluated by the concentration of NO and MDA in culture medium and apoptosis was determined by pyridine iodide staining on flow cytometry and tagged deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL).RESULTS Pretreatment with low concentrations of ALA(10,50 and 100 μmol/L) significantly improved the cell viability and NO production and decreased MDA production and the number of apoptotic cells,with a maximal effect at 50 μmol/L.But increasing ALA to 200 μmol/L produced the opposite effect.CONCLUSION Pretreatment with ALA induces a biphasic response in cell growth and function of HUVECs cultured in high glucose-protective and cytotoxinic effect,which is related to the concentration of ALA.