Effects of Fenofibrate on Nitric Oxide and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression Induced by Lysophosphatidylcholine in Cultured Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

【Objective】To investigate the effects of fenofibrate on nitric oxide(NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) mRNA and protein expression induced by lysophosphatidylcholine in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).【Methods】HUVECs were cultured in vitro.The study was designated to 5 groups: ①normal control,②LPC group,③low-concentration fenofibrate(10μmol/L)control,④ middle-concentration fenofibrate(50 μmol/L)control,⑤high-concentration fenofibrate(100μmol/L)control.Expression of eNOS mRNA and protein were observed by real-time polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) and flow cytometry(FCM) respectively.NO was determined by nitrate reductase method.【Results】Compared with control group,LPC could down-regulate eNOS mRNA and its protein expression and decrease NO production in HUVECs.Fenofibrate could increase eNOS mRNA and its protein expression and enhance NO production in a dose-and time-dependent manner in HUVECs.【Conclusion】Fenofibrate could improve eNOS mRNA and its protein expression induced by lysophosphatidylcholine in HUVECs,that may play a very important role in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.