Studies on injury of endothelial cells by homocysteine / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study is to detail its possible mechanisms that homocysteine (Hcy) induces injury of cultured endothelial cells.METHODS: Hcy in sequential concentrations was added into the cultured human umbilial vein endothelial cells for 24 hours in serum-free medium. The lipid peroxidation, release of LDH, cell total protein content, cell apoptosis and necrosis were assessed. RESULTS: Hcy increased the apoptosis of endothelial cells.In high Hcy concentration the cells also showed obvious injurious and necrotic morphological changes. Lipid peroxidation increased, with LDH releasing up and cell total protein content down, and they showed a positive dose-effect relationship with the Hcy concentration. All the above effects of Hcy was strengthened by low density lipoprotein (LDL) which may suggest synergetic effects of Hcy and LDL.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that Hcy has a strong oxidizing effect, which may be one of its major mechanism for injury of EC.