Pigment epithelium-derived factor is involved in the vascular endothelial cells dysfunction induced by arsenic

Objective To explore the role of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in vascular endothelial cells dysfunction induced by sodium arsenite (NaAsO2). Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EA.Hy926 cells) were treated with different levels of NaAsO2 [0 (control), 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 μmol/L] for 24 hours. The cell viability was determined using CCK8. Colorimetric assay was used to detect the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in culture supernatants, PEDF content in the supernatant of EA.Hy926 cells was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and nitric oxide (NO) content in cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the control group[(101.08 ± 3.22)%], the cell viability of 20 μmol/L group [(80.69 ± 7.95)%] and 50 μmol/L group[(69.87 ± 10.54)%] decreased significantly, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The activity of iNOS increased significantly in 10, 20, 50 μmol/L groups [(829.1 ± 68.2), (772.3 ± 37.1), (874.6 ± 43.5) U/L], respectively, in comparison with that of the control group [(397.5 ± 43.5) U/L] in the cell culture supernatant (P < 0.01). Similarly, PEDF levels in the groups of 10, 20, 50 μmol/L [(12.06 ± 0.55), (11.97 ± 0.39) and (13.89 ± 0.26) mg/L, respectively] were higher than that of the control group [(10.70 ± 0.35) mg/L, P < 0.01], and the highest content of PEDF was found in 50 μmol/L group. The NO level in 50 μmol/L group (11 558.99 ± 397.43) was significantly lower than that of the control group (14 131.49 ± 262.61, P < 0.01). Conclusion PEDF is involved in the vascular endothelial cells dysfunction induced by arsenic. Key words: Arsenites; Nitric oxide; Vascular endothelial cell; Pigment epithelium-derived factor