Curcumin protects endothelial cells against homocysteine induced injury through inhibiting inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of curcumin on the homocysteine (HCY) induced injury to the endothelial cells.

METHODS: Endothelial cells were treated with HCY at different concentrations, and MTT assay was employed to determine an optimal concentration of HCY. Cells were divided into 3 groups: normal control group, HCY group and HCY + curcumin group. In curcumin group, cells were pretreated with 2.5 mmol/L HCY for 2 h and then incubated with curcumin at different concentrations. MTT assay was employed to detect the cell viability. ELISA was performed to detect the content of IL-8 in the supernatant. Western blotting was used to detect NF-κB expression in cells.

RESULTS: (1) Endothelial cells were polygonal or stone-like, or aggregated to form masses, and then gradually became long spindle shaped, cell body enlarged, cells were rich in cytoplasm, and immunohistochemistry for factor VIII showed positive. (2) MTT assay showed HCY at ≥2.5 mmol/L caused significant damage to endothelial cells as compared to control group. Thus, 2.5 mmol/L HCY was used in following experiments. (3) ELISA showed IL-8 in the supernatant increased significantly in a time dependent manner after HCY treatment (P<0.01), but curcumin could significantly inhibit the IL-8 secretion in endothelial cells after HCY treatment. (4) Western blotting showed HCY was able to markedly increase NF-κB expression, which, however, was significantly inhibited by curcumin.

CONCLUSION: Curcumin is able to protect the endothelial cells against HCY induced injury through inhibiting NF-κB activation and down-regulating IL-8 expression.