Vildagliptin protects hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND To uncover the protective role of Vildagliptin in hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury of cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) and the pharmacological mechanisms. METHODS H/R model was constructed in primary CMECs extracted from rats, followed by Vildagliptin treatment. Relative levels of DPP-4 and Nox-4 in CMECs were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Viability, glutathione (GSH) content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and inflammatory factor levels were examined. Western blot was conducted to detect protein levels of DPP-4, p38, p-p38 and nuclear translocation of p65. The transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was measured by luciferase assay. RESULTS H/R resulted in upregulation of DPP-4 and Nox-4, as well as increased LDH release in CMECs. In addition, GSH content and viability were declined, and the release of inflammatory factors were stimulated in H/R-induced CMECs. The abovementioned changes were relieved by Vildagliptin treatment. Vildagliptin markedly inhibited the activation of the p38/NF-κB signaling in H/R-induced CMECs. CONCLUSIONS Vildagliptin protects CMECs from H/R injury via inactivating the p38/NF-κB signaling.