Effects of zinc ions on biological functions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Objective To evaluate the effect of zinc ions on human umbilical vein endothelial cells biological functions. Methods The primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured with the ECM medium, and cells were divided into 8 groups: the control group(routine culture,n=3), 20 μmol/L zinc group(20 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 40 μmol/L zinc group(40 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3),80 μmol/L zinc group(80 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 100 μmol/L zinc group(100 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 200 μmol/L zinc group(200 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3),300 μmol/L zinc group(300 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3), 500 μmol/L zinc group(500 μmol/L zinc chloride solution was added into the cell medium, n=3). The cell proliferation curve was derived from real time cell analysis (RTCA). The viability value was obtained via CCK-8 reagent, and the migration distance was tested by scratch-wound assay while the adhesion function was detected by RTCA. Results (1)After 18 hours, RTCA showed that the proliferation cell indexes were 4.5±0.6, 3.7±0.4, 3.6±0.3, 2.5±0.4, and 2.5±0.4 in the 20, 40, 80, 100, and 200 μmol/L zinc groups, as compared with 3.5±0.3 in the control group (all P 0.05). Conclusions Zinc ions at lower concentration (≤80 μmol/L) can promote proliferation, viability and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but the adhesion function was not significantly affected by zinc ions. Zinc ions at higher concentration (≥200 μmol/L) can inhibit the cellular function of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Key words: Endothelial cells; Umbilical veins; Zinc