Curcumin Decreases H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress and PDGF Gene Expression in Cultured Endothelial Cells

Background and Aim: Oxidative stress increases platelet-derived growthfactor (PDGF) gene expression in endothelial cells which contributesto vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. The dysregulated redoxbalance between ROS and antioxidant producing systems results inoxidative stress. Further, Curcumin as a main antioxidant part of turmerichas anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and antitumor effects. Theaim of this study was to assess the property of Curcumin on reducing therisk of atherosclerosis by a decrease in H2O2-induced oxidative stress andPDGF gene expression in endothelial cells.Methods: The cultured Bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) modelwas used for evaluating the stimulatory effect of H2O2 on increasingoxidative stress and PDGF gene expression, and also the inhibitory effectof Curcumin on decreasing oxidative stress and PDGF gene expressionin cultured endothelial cells. There were 3 groups as; Group 1 (Control):untreated group, Group 2: treated with 8 μL of 5 μM H2O2 for 24 h,Group 3: treated with 8 μL of 5 μM H2O2 and 2 μL of 10 μM Curcuminfor 24 h. Real-Time PCR was used to analyze PDGF-β gene expression intreated and untreated Bovine aortic endothelial cells.Results: There was a significant increase in the level of PDGF-β mRNAexpression in group 2 (treated with 20 μL H2O2) compared with controland group 3 (treated with 20 μM H2O2-10 μM Curcumin) (P < 0.05).Also, group 3 as a treated group with H2O2-Curcumin showed asignificant decrease in the level of PDGF- β gene expression comparedwith the H2O2 treated group.Conclusion: H2O2 as a potent oxidant can promote atherosclerosis byincrease on atherosclerosis-induced genes expression including PDGF-β.Then, PDGF-β causes vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferationand migration, as a critical factor for promoting atherosclerosis. Curcuminco-treatment in H2O2 incubated cells showed a significant decrease inthe expression of PDGF-β mRNA versus H2O2 treated cells. Curcuminreduces the risk of VSMC proliferation and atherosclerosis in oxidativestress-exposed endothelial cells. Thus, our results support the protectiveeffect of Curcumin against atherosclerosis.

Keywords:

Atherosclerosis , Bovine aortic endothelial cells , Curcumin , H2O2 , PDGF , Oxidative stress