Abstract:

To study the protective effect of Acanthopanax senticosus saponins （ASS）on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) injured by advanced glycosylation end products(AGE) and its possible mechanism. Methods AGE-modified bovine serum albumin(AGE-BSA) was prepared by incubating the BSA with a high concentration of glucose.The cultured HUVECs were divided into six groups:control group,BSA group,AGE group,low dose ASS + AGE group,middle dose ASS + AGE group,high dose ASS + AGE group.The HUVECs were cultured with 200 mg·L-1 AGE-BAS for 24 h following pre-incubation of ASS at different concentrations.The HUVECs proliferation  activity, the Von Willebrand factor(vWF), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and nitric oxi
de (NO) levels were determined. Results Compared with BSA group,the HUVECs proliferation  activity in AGE group was significantly reduced(P<0.01),the vWF and LDH levels  in AGE group were significantly increased(P<0.01) and the NO level were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Compared with AGE group,the HUVECs proliferation activities in ASS 10,50,100 mg·L^-1 groups were increased(P<0.05).The vWF and LDH levels were markedly decreased(P<0.05). The NO level was increased(P<0.05).Conclusion ASS could protect HUVECs against damage induced by AGE and increase the NO level in the AGE- exposed HUVECs.The mechanism may be related to increasing the NO level in HUVECs.

Key words: glycosylation end products;endothelial cells;nitric oxide;acanthopanax senticosus saponins