The effects of pioglitazone on LOX-1 expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Objective To investigate the effect of pioglitazone on lectin-like exidized LDL receptor (LOX-1) and LOX-1 mRNA expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).Methods HUVECs were divided into 5 groups:the blank group (no stimulation and intervention) ;the ox-LDL group(80 mg/L ox-LDL) ; the low concentration group(1μmol/L pioglitazone+ 80 mg/L ox-LDL) ;the high concentration group(10μmol/L pioglitazone+80 mg/L ox-LDL);the control group(10 μmol/L pioglitazone). Expression of LOX-1 was detected by flow cytometric technology,LOX-1 mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR.Results Compared with the blank group,LOX-1 and LOX-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in the ox-LDL group,the high concentration and the low concentration groups (P 0.01).Compared with ox-LDL group,LOX-1 and LOX-1 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the high concentration group and the low concentration group (P 0.01) and the expression was decreased more significantly in the high concentration group.Conclusion Pioglitazone can inhibit the upregulation of LOX-1 and LOX-1 mRNA on HUVECs induced by ox-LDL.These results provide novel insight into the anti-atherosclerotic effects of pioglitazone,which may be related to its intervention on pathophysiologic effects of ox-LDL.