高蛋氨酸饮食对大鼠血管内皮细胞分泌功能的影响

目的:探讨高蛋氨酸饮食对大鼠血管内皮细胞分泌功能的影响。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常饮食对照组(对照组)和高蛋氨酸饮食组(高蛋氨酸组)。对照组喂饲普通饲料,高蛋氨酸组大鼠喂饲含3%蛋氨酸的饲料,共8周。采用高效液相色谱法测定大鼠血浆同型半胱氨酸含量,以MDA、SOD、NO/ET和t-PA/PAI平衡等指标建立研究平台和内皮功能评价体系,同时以扫描电镜观察主动脉弓血管内皮细胞形态。结果:与对照组相比,高蛋氨酸组血浆Hcy含量显著高于对照组,是对照组的2倍以上;血浆MDA和SOD活力显著升高(P<0.05),t-PA/PAI-1和NO/ET比值均显著降低(P<0.05)。扫描电镜显示高蛋氨酸组大鼠内皮细胞呈典型虫蛀样损害,伴有附壁血栓形成和脂质沉积。结论:高蛋氨酸饮食可诱发大鼠高半胱氨酸血症,Hcy可通过氧化应激机制损伤血管内细胞分泌功能,血浆NO/ET和t-PA/PAI-1系统失衡。     

有氧运动对高蛋氨酸饮食大鼠血浆NO、ET和NO/ET系统的影响

目的：探讨有氧运动对高蛋氨酸饮食大鼠血浆总一氧化氮合成酶（T-NOS）、一氧化氮（NO）、内皮素（ET）和NO/ET系统的影响。方法：雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常饮食对照组（对照组）、高蛋氨酸饲料组（高蛋氨酸组）和有氧运动＋高蛋氨酸饮食组（运动干预组）。对照组喂饲普通饲料,高蛋氨酸组和运动干预组喂饲含3%蛋氨酸的高蛋氨酸饲料,运动干预组同时每日同时进行90 min无负重游泳运动,实验共8周。分别测定血浆同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）、ET、NO和T-NOS含量。结果：高蛋氨酸组血浆Hcy含量显著高于对照组达2倍以上（P〈0.01）,T-NOS和NO含量显著降低,ET含量显著升高（P〈0.01）,且NO/ET比值均显著降低（P〈0.05）;与高蛋氨酸组相比,运动干预组血浆Hcy含量显著下降（P〈0.05）,T-NOS,NO含量和NO/ET比值显著升高（P〈0.05）,且与对照组相比上述各项指标无显著差异。结论：高蛋氨酸饮食可诱发大鼠高同型半胱氨酸血症,血浆NO/ET失衡;有氧运动可降低高蛋氨酸饮食大鼠血浆Hcy水平,改善NO/ET失衡,预防高同型半胱氨酸血症。     

番茄红素对高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠血管内皮舒缩功能和纤溶功能的影响

本文研究了补充番茄红素对高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠血液Hcy的影响,及对血管内皮舒缩功能和纤溶功能的影响。SD大鼠30只,随机分为普通饮食组(C)、蛋氨酸饮食组(M)、蛋氨酸饮食+番茄红素组(ML)。ML组灌胃番茄红素(6.25 mg/kg),每天2 m L,其余组灌胃同等剂量生理盐水,共8周。末次实验后24 h,测试血浆Hcy、TXB2、6-Keto-PGF1α、t-PA和PAI。实验结果表明8周高蛋氨酸饮食可导致大鼠形成高同型半胱氨酸血症,血浆Hcy、TXB2和PAI显著升高(P0.01),6-Keto-PGF1α和t-PA显著降低(P0.01),血管舒缩和纤溶功能紊乱。但8周番茄红素补充可以显著降低血浆Hcy和TXB2,增加6-Keto-PGF1α含量,同时调节t-PA和PAI的活性,改善纤溶功能,预防动脉粥样硬化病的形成。     

补镁对大鼠血管钙化的影响

目的:在大鼠血管钙化模型上,观察外源性补充硫酸镁对大鼠血管钙化的影响,以探讨硫酸镁在血管钙化中作用及机制。方法:用维生素D3加尼古丁诱导大鼠血管钙化,von Kossa染色、钙含量测定及碱性磷酸酶活性测定判断血管钙化程度;用半定量RT-PCR方法测定血管钙化标志分子骨桥蛋白mRNA水平;用生物化学方法测定血管一氧化氮(NO)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果:钙化组大鼠血压升高,收缩压较对照组高27%(P<0.05);血管von Kossa染色见血管中膜弹性纤维间可见大量棕黑色颗粒沉积,主动脉钙含量及碱性磷酸酶活性分别较对照高3.9倍和3.4倍(P<0.01),钙化血管组织骨桥蛋白mRNA表达上调40%(P<0.01),血管钙化后可加重血管组织过氧化损伤;而诱导钙化后外源性补充硫酸镁可减轻血管钙化程度,与钙化组比较,低、高剂量硫酸镁组均明显缓解上述指标的变化。结论:诱导血管钙化后外源性补充硫酸镁可以减轻大鼠血管钙化和血管损伤程度。     

高蛋氨酸饲料喂养的大鼠高同型半胱氨酸血症模型的实验研究

探讨高蛋氨酸饲料诱导高同型半胱氨酸血症的适应剂量及其对相关代谢的影响.选择质量分数1%、2%和3%蛋氨酸饲料喂饲大鼠,高压液相色谱法测定血清同型半胱氨酸、半胱氨酸和还原形谷胱甘肽含量.结果表明饲料中1%蛋氨酸可以使血清同型半胱氨酸水平升高且无生长抑制等毒副作用,2%和3%蛋氨酸饲料喂养大鼠后出现摄食量减少和生长抑制等毒...     

重组BHMT对高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠的影响

目的探讨重组BHMT对大鼠HHcy血症的防治作用。方法用含2%蛋氨酸(methionine,Met)饲料诱发HHcy的大鼠,经尾静脉注射BHMT后,观察模型大鼠血浆中同型半胱氨酸(homocysteine,Hcy)浓度、LDH酶活性及HDL/LDL的影响。结果重组BHMT能将HHcy组大鼠血浆中Hcy浓度(23.70±6.75)μmol/L显著降低为(14.61±2.80)μmol/L(P<0.05),LDH酶活性由(209.57±10.22)U/L降低为(225.04±30.47)U/L(P<0.05),对脂蛋白HDL/LDL基本没有影响。结论重组BHMT对高同型半胱氨酸血症有一定的治疗作用。     

甜菜碱对戊四氮致痫大鼠血清中同型半胱氨酸以及对海马γ-氨基丁酸及其受体的影响

目的 观察甜菜碱对癫痫大鼠血清中同型半胱氨酸以及对海马γ-氨基丁酸及其受体的影响.方法 将健康雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组(腹腔注射生理盐水,1.0 mL生理盐水灌胃),癫痫组(腹腔注射戊四氮,1.0 mL生理盐水灌胃),甜菜碱高、中、低浓度组(腹腔注射戊四氮,甜菜碱灌胃),丙戊酸钠组(腹腔注射戊四氮,丙戊酸钠灌胃),实验结束后大鼠眼眶取血检测血清中同型半胱氨酸的含量;在低温条件下迅速取脑,ELISA实验检测γ-氨基丁酸含量的变化;兔疫荧光和Western bloting检测海马区γ-氨基丁酸受体的变化;取肝组织进行HE染色观察组织形态变化.结果 癫痫组同型半胱氨酸的含量与正常组比较显著降低(P＜0.01),甜菜碱高、低浓度组同型半胱氨酸含量与癫痫组比较明显降低(P＜ 0.05);ELISA结果表明癫痫组γ-氨基丁酸的含量与正常对照组相比显著下降(P＜0.01).甜菜碱高、中浓度组γ-氨基丁酸的含量与癫痫组比较显著增高(P＜0.01);免疫荧光与Western bloting检测结果,癫痫组γ-氨基丁酸受体的表达与正常对照组相比显著降低(P＜0.01),甜菜碱高、中、低浓度组较癫痫组显著升高(P＜0.01);HE染色结果,丙戊酸钠组动物肝脏组织镜下观察可见明显的空泡变性(P＜0.05).结论 甜菜碱具有较好的抗癫痫作用,且无肝毒性.     

束缚应激对大鼠同型半胱氨酸代谢的影响

为了探讨束缚应激对大鼠血清含硫氨基酸代谢的影响,根据同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)水平,将32只雄性Wistar大鼠分为对照组(control)、束缚应激组(RS)、1%蛋氨酸组(1%Met)和1%蛋氨酸+束缚应激组(1%Met+RS)。采用高压液相色谱法检测血清中的Hcy、半胱氨酸(Cys)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,采用全自动氨基酸分析仪测定血清中蛋氨酸(Met)和牛磺酸(Tau)含量。结果显示,RS组大鼠血清Hcy、Cys和GSH含量随着束缚时间延长而降低,且较对照组和1%蛋氨酸组有显著性差异(p<0.05);RS组大鼠血清Met和Tau含量较对照组和1%蛋氨酸组则显著升高(p<0.05)。束缚应激可能降低血清抗氧化能力和总Hcy水平。     

同型半胱氨酸对血管内皮功能的影响及通心络超微粉的干预作用

目的：观察同型半胱氨酸对血管内皮功能的影响,并探讨通心络超微粉的干预作用。方法：健康雄性Wis-tar大鼠,随机分为对照组、模型组、通心络组。离体主动脉环技术检测血管内皮依赖性舒缩功能,微循环仪观察肠系膜微循环变化,放免方法检测血浆内皮素（ET）、血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）、血栓素（TXA2）、前列环素（PGI2）的含量及血清超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）与谷胱苷肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）的活性、一氧化氮（NO）及丙二醛（MDA）的含量。结果：与对照组比较,模型组血管内皮依赖性舒张反应明显减弱（p〈0.01）,肠系膜毛细血管对乙酰胆碱的扩张幅度与扩张率显著下降（P〈0.05）。与模型组比较,通心络组血管舒张反应明显改善（P〈0.01）,肠系膜毛细血管对乙酰胆碱反应性升高;与对照组比较,模型组AngⅡ、ET、TXA2含量明显升高（P〈0.05,p〈0.01）,而PGI2含量明显降低（P〈0.05）,同时血清中SOD与GSH-Px活力、NO含量明显降低（P〈0.001,P〈0.05）。与模型组比较,通心络组血浆AngⅡ、ET、TXA2的含量显著降低（P〈0.01）,而PGI2的含量明显升高（P〈0.01）,同时血清中SOD活力与NO含量显著升高（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）。结论：①高同型半胱氨酸血症可使内皮依赖性血管舒缩功能减退,其机制可能与高同型半胱氨酸血症引发血管舒缩因子平衡紊乱及大量自由基的产生有关。②通心络超微粉可使同型半胱氨酸所致血管内皮依赖性舒张功能的异常明显改善,可能与其抑制自由基的过量生成及调节内皮舒缩因子的平衡有关。     

高同型半胱氨酸血症致动脉粥样硬化的细胞分子机制

同型半胱氨酸（homocysteine,Hcy)是蛋氨酸代谢途径产生的含硫氨基酸,其代谢紊乱可以诱导高同型半胱氨酸血症的发生,已被临床及流行病学资料证实为动脉粥样硬化发病的独立危险因子。Hcy通过激活二酰甘油－蛋白激酶C－（DAG－PKC）及丝裂素活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）途径,诱导相关基因的表达,促进细胞钙化,启动脂质过氧化应激,从而损伤心血管系统。金属硫蛋白,牛磺酸,L－精氨酸作为内源性小分子物质,成为继维生素B6,B12之后控制和治疗高同型半胱氨酸血症的新途径。     

Endothelin-1 is a potent regulator in vivo in vascular calcification and in vitro in calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells

We observed changes of endothelin content and endothelin mRNA in vivo in vascular calcification and in vitro in calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells to explore the role of endothelin in vascular calcification. Calcification model in vivo was induced by administration of Vitamin D(3) plus nicotine. Calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was induced by beta-glycerophosphate. Endothelin content was measured by using radioimmunoassay. Endothelin mRNA amount was determined by using competitive quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that calcium content, 45Ca(2+) uptake and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were increased in calcified VSMCs, compared with controls, but were decreased, compared with calcified VSMCs plus BQ123 group. The endothelin content in the medium and endothelin mRNA in VSMCs were elevated by 35 and 120% (P<0.05), respectively, compared with those normal VSMCs. Calcium content, 45Ca(2+) accumulation and ALP activity in calcified arteries increased by 5.0-, 1.4-, and 1.4-fold. The endothelin levels in plasma and aorta as well as the amount of endothelin mRNA in calcified aorta were increased by 102, 103, and 22%, respectively, compared with control group. However, calcium content, 45Ca(2+) uptake and ALP activity in VDN plus bosentan group was 33, 36.7, and 40.4% lower than those in VDN group. These results indicated an upregulated endothelin gene expression as well as an increased production of endothelin in calcified aorta and VSMCs with BQ123 and bosentan significantly reducing vascular calcification. This suggested that endothelin might be involved in pathogenesis of vascular calcification.     

Calpain-1 Mediated Disorder of Pyrophosphate Metabolism Contributes to Vascular Calcification Induced by oxLDL

We previously reported that oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) accelerated the calcification in aorta of rats and rat vascular smooth muscle cells (RVSMCs). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the acceleration remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role of calpain-1, Ca²⁺-sensitive intracellular cysteine proteases, in the vascular calcification of rats treated with both high dose of vitamin D₂ and high cholesterol diet. The results showed that calpain activity significantly increased in calcified aortic tissue of rats and RVSMCs treated with oxLDL. Specific calpain inhibitor I (CAI, 0.5mg/kg, intraperitoneal) inhibited the vascular calcification in rats with hypercholesterolemia accompanied by the increase in the level of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), the endogenous inhibitor of vascular calcification. In addition, CAI increased the content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), decreased the activity, mRNA and protein expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and reduced the production of superoxide anion in calcified aortic tissue. CAI also increased the activity of ATP synthase as well as protein expression of ATP5D, δ subunit of ATP synthase. In the in vitro study, suppression of calpain-1 using siRNA assay inhibited the calcium deposition, increased the levels of PPi and ATP, improved the activity of ATP synthase as well as protein expression of ATP5D in RVSMCs treated with oxLDL. Calpain-1 suppression also decreased the activity, mRNA and protein expression of ALP and reduced the mitochondrial ROS (Mito-ROS) production in RVSMCs. However, mito-TEMPO, the mitochondria-targeted ROS scavenger, reduced the calcium deposition, increased the PPi in culture medium, decreased the activity, mRNA and protein expression of ALP in RVSMCs treated with oxLDL. Taken together, the results suggested that calpain-1 activation plays critical role in vascular calcification caused by oxLDL, which might be mediated by PPi metabolism disorder. The results also implied that Mito-ROS might contribute to the PPi metabolism disorder through regulation of the activity and expression of ALP.     

Changes of heme oxygenase-carbon monoxide system in vascular calcification in rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the change in heme oxygenase (HO)-carbon monoxide (CO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in vascular calcification. Vascular calcification model was established in rats by using vitamin D(3) and nicotine. Vascular calcium content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, HO activity, HbCO formation and content of cGMP in vessels were measured. Immunochemistry (IH) for HO 1 expression and in situ hybridization (ISH) for HO 1 mRNA were observed. Compared to those of control rats, the aortic calcium content and vascular ALP activity in rats of the calcified group (VDN group) were obviously increased, but HO 1 activity, CO concentration and cGMP content in vessels of rats in VDN group were markedly decreased. Expressions of HO-1 protein and mRNA were significantly decreased compared to control rats. Vascular calcification might induce a down regulation in vascular HO-CO-cGMP pathway.     

Carvacrol modulates instability of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and downregulates the expressions of PCNA,MMP-2, and MMP-9 during diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Vascular calcification (VC) is highly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Paracrine/autocrine factors such as vasoactive peptides are involved in VC development. Here, we investigated the expression of the novel peptide C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in the vasculature, tested its ability to prevent VC in vivo and in vitro, and examined the mechanism involved. Rat aortic VC was induced by vitamin D3 plus nicotine (VDN). CNP (500 ng/kg/h) was administered by mini-osmotic pump. Calcification was examined by von Kossa staining; CNP and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) contents were detected by radioimmunoassay, and mRNA and protein levels were examined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis in aortas and calcified vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). VDN-treated rat aortas showed higher CNP content and decreased expression of its receptor natriuretic peptide receptor B, along with increased vascular calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Low CNP levels were accompanied by increased vascular calcium deposition and ALP activity in VDN-treated rats when compared to vehicle treatment, which was further confirmed in cultured VSMCs. Administration of CNP greatly reduced VC in VDN-treated aortas compared with controls, which was confirmed in calcified VSMCs. The decrease in alpha-actin expression was ameliorated by CNP in vitro. Moreover, protein expression levels of osteopontin (OPN) were significantly up-regulated in calcified aortas, and CNP increased OPN expression in calcified aortas. Furthermore, CNP downregulated OPN and bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) expression in calcified aortas and VSMCs. Modulation of OPN and BMP-2 expression by CNP and the beneficial effects of CNP on calcified VSMCs were blocked significantly by protein kinase G inhibitor H7. Impaired local endogenous CNP and its receptor system may be associated with increased mineralization in vivo in rat aortas with VC, and administration of CNP inhibits VC development in vivo and in vitro, at least in part, via a cGMP/PKG pathway.     

二甲双胍对华法令诱导大鼠动脉钙化的影响及其机制初探

目的:研究二甲双胍(metformin,MET)对华法令(Warfarin,WFN)诱导大鼠动脉钙化的影响及其机制。方法:将28只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、8周(W)钙化组、8W钙化+8W MET 100 mg/kg治疗组、8W钙化+8W MET 200 mg/kg治疗组。采用Von Kossa染色法检测胸主动脉组织中钙结节;邻甲酚肽络合酮比色法测定颈总动脉组织中钙沉积含量;免疫组化染色检测血管壁中成骨基因Runx2及血管平滑肌标志物α-SMA的表达;Western Blot检测血管壁中Runx2及自噬标志物LC3II的表达。结果:WFN干预8 W后,大鼠动脉中钙沉积含量显著增加(P0.01),MET治疗组主动脉钙含量与钙化组相比均显著降低(P0.01)。Von Kossa染色可见钙化组(WFN组)动脉壁中层黑色连续钙盐沉积条带,而进行MET治疗后,黑色条带明显减少,对照组未见黑色条带。免疫组化显示钙化组血管壁Runx2表达阳性,棕褐色染色较深,而α-SMA表达则显著下降,基本未见棕褐色染色沉积;MET治疗后能够逆转上述趋势。Western Blot显示钙化组血管壁Runx2表达明显上升,MET治疗后Runx2表达被抑制。此外,钙化过程中伴随着自噬标志物LC3II表达轻度上升;随着MET浓度升高,血管壁中自噬水平呈剂量依赖性显著升高。结论:二甲双胍能够有效抑制大鼠动脉钙化,减轻血管平滑肌细胞由收缩表型向成骨样表型转换,其机制可能与诱导自噬有关。     

Ghrelin blunted vascular calcification in vivo and in vitro in rats

Ghrelin is a new peptide with regulatory actions in growth hormone secretion in the anterior pituitary gland and in energy metabolism. Currently, ghrelin has potently protective effects in cardiovascular diseases. We used an in vivo model of rat vascular calcification induced by vitamin D3 and nicotine and one of cultured rat vascular smooth muscular cells (VSMCs) calcification induced by beta-glycerophosphate to study the possible mechanism in the regulatory action of ghrelin in vascular calcification. Calcification increased total Ca2+ content and 45Ca2+ deposition in aortas and VSMCs and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activation in plasma, aortas and VSMCs. However, calcified aortas and VSMCs showed a significant decrease in osteopontin (OPN) mRNA expression and a marked reduction of ghrelin levels in plasma and its mRNA expression in aortas. The aortic calcification was significantly attenuated by subcutaneous administration of ghrelin 30 and 300 nmol kg(-1) day(-1) for 4 weeks, and the latter dosage was more potent than the former. Ghrelin treatment at the two dosages reduced the total aorta Ca2+ content by 24.4% and 28.1%, aortic 45Ca2+ deposition by 18.4% and 24.9%, plasma ALP activity by 36.6% and 76.7%, and aortic ALP activity by 10.3% and 47.6% (all P < 0.01 or 0.05), respectively. Ghrelin at 10(-8)-10(-6) mol/L attenuated the calcification in cultured VSMCs, with decreased total Ca2+ content, 45Ca2+ deposition and ALP activity and increased OPN mRNA expression, in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, endothelin levels in plasma and aortas and its mRNA expression in aortas significantly increased with calcification, but ghrelin treatment significantly decreased endothelin levels and mRNA expression, with the high dosage being more potent than the lower dosage. These results indicate that local ghrelin in vascular was down-regulated during vascular calcification, whereas administration of ghrelin effectively attenuated vascular and VSMCs calcification.     

Is hypercalcemic diet a possible antidote to oral contraceptive-induced hypertension?

Administration of oral contraceptive (OC) has been associated with body fluid retention and in high doses over a long period, promotes hypertension. This present investigation tests the hypothesis that the dietary calcium supplementation increases salt and water excretion in OC (norgestre/ethinylestradiol) treated 32 female albino rats randomly distributed into four (1-4) groups of 8 rats each: Control, OC-treated, OC-treated+ Calcium diet fed and Calcium diet fed only respectively. OC was administered to the appropriate groups by gavage. Experimental diet contained 2.5% calcium supplement. Plasma and urinary [Na+] [K+] were evaluated after 8 weeks of experimentation by flame photometry and plasma [Ca2+] by colorimetric method. OC-treatment induced a significant fall in urinary [Na+]. Water excretion was significantly reduced in these animals (control, 3.1±0.56 Vs OC-treated rats, 1.47±0.16). OC-treated rats had significantly higher plasma [K+] compared to control rats. Calcium supplementation induced increases in plasma [Na+], [K+] and augmented urinary Na+ excretion (OC-treated + Ca2+ diet Vs OC-treated only). Compared with the control rats, high Ca2+ diet fed rats exhibited significant increases in plasma [Na+] and [K+] accompanied by significant decreases in urinary H20 excretion. These results strongly suggest that high dietary Ca2+ supplementation increases salt and water excretion in OC-treated rats and potentially moderates fluid retention and blood pressure in these animals, and may be of clinical significance in OC-induced abnormal fluid retention and perhaps OC-induced hypertension.Keywords: Hypercalcemic-diet, Oral contraceptive, Plasma electrolytes, Hypertension, Female-albino-rats.     

Changes in the activities of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase isozymes from rat liver with dietary methionine

The activities of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase isozymes in liver were measured after rats received a diet containing excess methionine. The activity of the alpha-form increased with increasing methionine content in the diet, and reached 4-5 fold after 6 days on a 3% methionine diet. However, the activity of the beta-form showed only a 1.5 fold increase. The activity of the gamma-form in kidney showed no significance change.     

Alterations of adrenomedullin and its receptor system components in calcified vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular calcification is a common finding in many cardiovascular diseases. Paracrine/autocrine changes in calcified vessels, and the secreted factors participate in and play an important role in the progress of calcification. Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a potent vasodilator peptide secreted by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and vascular endothelial cells. Recently, receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) have been shown to transport calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) to the cell surface to present either as CGRP receptor or ADM receptor. In this work, we explored the production of ADM, alterations and significance of ADM mRNA and its receptor system components—CRLR and RAMPs mRNA in calcified VSMCs. Our results showed that calcium content, ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake and alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) activity in calcified VSMCs were increased, respectively, compared with control VSMCs. Content of ADM in medium was increased by 99% (p<0.01). Furthermore, it was found that the levels of ADM, CRLR, RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNA in calcified cells were elevated, respectively, compared with that of control. The elevated levels of CRLR, RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNA were significant correlation with ADM mRNA (r=0.83, 0.92 and 0.93, respectively, all p's<0.01) in calcified VSMCs. The results show that calcified VSMCs generate an increased amount of ADM, up-regulate gene expressions of ADM and its receptor system components—CRLR, RAMP2 and RAMP3, suggesting an important role of ADM and its receptor system in the regulation of vascular calcification.