EFFECTS OF TETRAMETHYLPYRAZINE ON PROLIFERATION AND mRNA EXPRESSION OF OSTEOPONTIN INDUCED BY PDGF-BB IN VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS OF RATS

Objective: to explore the effects of tetramethylpyrazine on proliferation and mRNA expression of osteopontin induced by PDGF-BB in vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) of rats.Methods:by using aorta thoracic smooth muscle cells in vitro raise and stimulating VSMC by PDGF-BB,the effects of tetramethylpyrazine on VSMC proliferation were analysed by using MTT colorimetry and flowcytomerty. In addition, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was applied to examine the mRNA expression of osteopontin in VSMC. Results: the VSMC proliferation was significantly inhibited (P0.01)and the cells were stagnated on G 0/G 1 phase.High mRNA expression of osteopontin was induced by PDGF-BB and the expression was significantly decreased by tetramethylpyrazine. Conclusions: the tetramethylpyrazine could inhibit the proliferation of VSMC in vitro.Tetramethylpyrazine may be an agent for prevention of restenosis following angioplasty.