Inhibitory effects of prostaglandin A1 on apoptosis of rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells was mediated by NF-kappaB.

AIM: To study the effects of prostaglandin A1 (PGA1) on rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. METH-ODS: Isolated rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells were cultured in hypoxia and reoxygen conditions, respectively. Endothelial cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. The activity of NF-kappaB was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression were examined by Western blot and bcl-2 mRNA expression was examined by Northern blot. RESULTS: PGA1 reduced endothelial cell apoptosis markedly, inhibited activity of NF-kappaB, and increased expression of Bcl-2 protein and bcl-2 mRNA. However, PGA1 did not alter Bax protein expression resulting in an increase in the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax. CONCLUSION: PGA1 can inhibit rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cell apoptosis by inhibiting activity of NF-kappaB.