Effects of C-peptide on apoptosis induced by hyperglycemia and the relationship between the apoptosis and the expression of eNOS in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)

Objective To investigate the effects of C-peptide on apoptosis induced by high glucose and analyze the relationship between the apoptosis and expression of eNOS in HUVEC. Methods We determined the HUVEC apoptosis by Annexin-V, the expression of eNOS mRNA of HUVEC by RT-PCR, the apoptotic quantity of HUVEC by DNA fragment ELISA. Results High level of glucose could increase HUVEC apoptosis (P0.01) and reduce the expression of eNOS. After adding physiological or high concentration of C-peptide, the apoptosis decreased and the expressions of eNOS increased markedly, with the relationship coefficient of -0.854 (P0.01). Conclusion High glucose may induce apoptosis. Physiological or high concentration of C-peptide may reduce the apoptosis induced by hyperglycemia, the relationship between apoptosis and eNOS is negative.