Effects of Xuebijing on the proliferation and cytokine expression of rat peritoneal mesothelial cells cultured in high concentration of glucose

Objective To observe the effects of Xuebijing on the inhibition of cell proliferation and expression of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB-1) and transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1 ) in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) cultured in high concentration of glucose. Methods PMCs were isolated from rat colic omentum and cultured in high concentration of glucose (2.5% glucose). MTT method was used to measure the effects of Xuebijing (2, 10, 20 mg/mL) on cell proliferation. ELISA was performed to determine the concentration of HMGB-1 and TGF-1 in cultured media. Results High concentration (2.5%) of glucose significantly inhibited cell proliferation as well as induced the expression of HMGB-1 and TGF-1 in PMCs (P 0.05), which could be partially reversed by 2-20 mg/mL Xuebijing (P 0.05). Conclusion Xuebijing could reverse cell proliferation, and inhibit HMGB-1 and TGF-1 expression in PMC induced by high glucose, suggesting that Xuebijing can repair the cell damage induced by high glucose.