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Planta Med 76(5): 433-438
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1186197
Pharmacology
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Luteolin Inhibits Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Apoptosis in Endothelial Cells by a Calcium/Mithocondrion/Caspases-Dependent Pathway

Junna Song1 , Kang Liu1 , Jiali Yi1 , Deqiu Zhu2 , Gaolin Liu2 , Baolin Liu1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, Chinese Pharmaceutical University, Nainjing, P. R. China
  • 2First People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

received July 16, 2009 revised Sept. 14, 2009

accepted Sept. 16, 2009

Publication Date:
14 October 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Luteolin, a naturally occurring polyphenol flavonoid, has demonstrated some beneficial modulation toward the endothelium. This study aims to investigate the effects of luteolin on lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced apoptosis, a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in endothelial cells. Luteolin reduced not only LPC-induced cell death but also lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Luteolin inhibition of LPC-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells demonstrated its protection against the cytotoxicity of LPC. LPC-induced apoptosis is characterized by a calcium-dependent mitochondrial pathway, involving calcium influx, activation of calpains, cytochrome C release and caspases activation. Luteolin reduced calcium influx. It also inhibited calpains activation and prevented the release of cytochrome C from mitochondrion. The inhibition of cytochrome C release by luteolin blocked the activation of caspase-3 and thus prevented subsequent endothelial cell apoptosis. These results suggested that luteolin inhibits LPC-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells through the blockage of the calcium-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

Key words

luteolin - lysophosphatidylcholine - apoptosis - endothelial cells

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Prof. Dr. Baolin Liu

Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica
China Pharmaceutical University

639 Longmian Road

210198 Nanjing

P. R. China

Phone: + 86 0 25 85 32 20 09

Fax: + 86 0 25 85 39 12 39

Email: submission2009@yahoo.cn