Protective role of DHA on high glucose-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

• Main Author: Nway, Yu Aung.
• Other Authors: Song Hao
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Bioengineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/54325
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Omega - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been found cardiovascular benefits, anti- inflammatory activity and prevention on abnormal cell growth. To investigate the proliferation and apoptosis effects of PUFAs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), we examined the polyunsaturated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to high glucose. Cell viability was quantified by MTT assay and Live/Dead viability assay. Apoptosis was measured by Hoechst 33258 dye staining and Caspase-3 fluorescence assay. The results show that DHA increased apoptosis and decreased cell viability in VSMCs exposed to high glucose. Our results further demonstrate that DHA increased caspase-3 activity in high glucose treated cells. Taken together our reports showed that DHA- induced apoptosis on VSMC is mediated by caspase-3. In conclusion, DHA is found to exert protective role on high glucose induced proliferation of VSMC and demonstrate a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetic cardiovascular complications.