Comparative Effects of Three Sulfonylureas (Glibenclamide, Glimepiride, and Gliclazide) on Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diabetes affects the entire vascular system and accelerates atherosclerosis and ischemia. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting is the main therapeutic strategies; however, the restenosis rate is high in diabetics. Sulfonylureas (SUs) are widely prescribed agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and function by interacting with sulfonylurea receptors (SURs), which also exists in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), give rise to the potential that SUs influence VSMCs. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs play important roles in the formations of primary stenosis and restenosis, especially the latter. However, there are no data about the exact effects of SUs on these processes. METHODS: Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were exposed to SUs prior to exposure to 30mM glucose. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay. Cell migration was detected by wound healing assay and transwell assay. Protein expression was determined by immunofluorescence and western blot. Diazoxide was used to evaluate the role of KATP channel in these processes. RESULTS: The proliferation and migration of HASMCs were significantly aggravated by glibenclamide and glimepiride, and their effects were reversed by diazoxide. In contrast, above characteristics of HASMCs were apparently inhibited by gliclazide, and this was maintained after opening the KATP channel. CONCLUSION: These results imply that KATP channels play an important part in proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by glibenclamide and glimepiride. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of gliclazide on VSMCs appeared to have more potential for the prevention of vascular obstructive diseases in T2DM.

Hongjingtian Injection Inhibits Proliferation and Migration and Promotes Apoptosis in High Glucose-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

BACKGROUND: Hongjingtian injection (HJT) is administered in the treatment of vascular diseases, including diabetic angiopathies (DA). However, its underlying mechanisms have not been examined systematically. METHODS: In this research, we explored potential mechanisms of HJT through network pharmacology. HG-stimulated A7r5 cells served as the cell model. Cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were investigated. The effects on key targets and the AKT pathway were verified by Western blotting in experiments with the AKT inhibitor LY294002 or activator SC79. RESULTS: Network analysis predicted that HJT targeted 10 candidate targets and 15 pathways including cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis in response to DA. Functional experiments showed that HJT markedly suppressed the proliferation and migration and promoted the apoptosis of HG-induced VSMCs, which validated the prediction. Mechanistically, HJT significantly downregulated the expression of pAKT, MMP9, and PCNA, upregulated the expression of p53 and cleaved caspase-3 and increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio compared with the HG group. SC79, an AKT activator, partially reversed the inhibitory effects of HJT on HG-induced VSMCs, confirming the involvement of the AKT pathway. Furthermore, the presence of the AKT inhibitor LY294002 had a similar inhibitory effect as HJT. CONCLUSION: These findings systematically evaluate the potential mechanisms of HJT for the treatment of DA. HJT suppressed the proliferation and migration and promoted the apoptosis of HG-induced VSMCs partly by inhibiting the AKT pathway. Additionally, this study may provide a quick and effective way to investigate the molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine.