大鼠咬合创伤牙周膜中MCP-1、ICAM-1的表达变化

目的:研究咬合创伤大鼠牙周组织中MCP-1、ICAM-1的表达情况。方法:12周龄雄性SD大鼠24只,随机分为4组(1个正常对照组和3个实验组),每组6只。正常对照组不作任何处理,实验组通过在大鼠左上颌第一磨牙颌面粘接树脂并内置不锈钢丝形成高出颌面0.6-0.8 mm的树脂层以建立同侧下颌咬合创伤实验动物模型,分别于建模后3、5、7 d处死各组大鼠,分离大鼠下颌组织,运用HE、Masson染色观察咬合创伤牙周组织形态变化,同时用免疫组织化学染色法检测MCP-1和ICAM-1的表达变化。结果:HE染色显示,正常组牙周膜纤维排列整齐,牙骨质表面较为平整,牙槽骨结构致密。实验组牙周膜纤维排列紊乱,牙周膜血管水肿充血、间隙改变,牙槽骨和牙骨质表面不平整,出现骨吸收。Masson染色显示,正常组牙周组织未见异常表现;实验组牙周膜纤维排列紊乱,可见水解断裂,局部有血流障碍和血管破裂。免疫组织化学显示,各实验组MCP-1和ICAM-1的表达变化均较正常对照组增多,差异有显著性(P0.05)。其中7 d组表达水平最高,与其他2组相比有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:咬合创伤可引起大鼠牙周组织形态变化,MCP-1、ICAM-1的表达随时间呈现递增的趋势。     

剪切力对单核细胞趋化蛋白-1的影响

单核细胞趋化蛋白-1（MCP-1）能趋化单核细胞在内皮细胞下聚集,是动脉粥样硬化最早期的病理改变之一.从生物力学的角度对体外培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVEC）合成和分泌MCP-1的规律作了研究.通过流动小室,HUVEC给予0.4,1.0, 2.0 N/m²的剪应力,运用免疫组化,图象处理及ELISA方法测出不同时间胞浆及灌流液中MCP-1的含量,结果表明HUVEC合成和分泌MCP-1是随剪切力和时间变化而变化的.该工作为进一步理解剪切力诱导动脉粥样硬化的发生提供实验数据.     

金樱子对糖尿病大鼠肾MCP-1表达的影响

目的:研究金樱子对糖尿病大鼠单核细胞趋化因子-1(MCP-1)表达的影响.方法:用STZ腹腔注射诱导建立SD大鼠糖尿病模型后,随机分为糖尿病模型组和金樱子干预组,同时另设正常对照组和金樱子对照组.测定大鼠血糖、血肌酐(Scr)、血尿素氮(BUN)、胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、24小时尿蛋白.HE染色观察肾组织病理改变、免疫组织化学、Western blot检测各组肾组织MCP-1表达情况.结果:金樱子能明显改善肾功能,降低实验性糖尿病大鼠血糖、血肌酐、血尿素氮、胆固醇、甘油三酯、24小时尿蛋白定量.形态学观察,糖尿病大鼠在金樱子干预后,肾小球硬化指数与肾小管损伤指数明显减小.免疫组织化学和Western bolt分析显示,MCP-1蛋白表达在糖尿病模型组中显著增强,而在金樱子干预组的表达显著减弱(P＜0.05),但仍较正常对照组蛋白表达升高.结论:金樱子对糖尿病肾病具有防治作用,其机制可能与降低MCP-1表达有关.     

MCP-1和VEGF与冠心病患者冠脉病变程度的关系及介入前后的变化和意义

目的:探讨单核细胞趋化蛋白1(MCP-1)和血管内皮生长因子VEGF与冠心痛患者冠脉病变程度的关系及介入前后的变化和意义.方法:选择经冠状动脉造影确诊的冠心痛患者105例,根据病变程度分为单支病变组(A组)、双支病变组(B组)和多支病变组(C组),同时选择经冠状动脉造影确诊的正常时照组35例(D组),采用双抗体夹心ELISA法洲定术前术后血清MCP-1和VEGF水平.结果:1.血清MCP-1水平测定结果冠心病组明显高于正常对照组,三支病变组高于双支病变组,双支病变组高于单支病变组,支架置入术后显著高于术前,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01),对照组术前术后相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).2血清VEGF水平测定结果显示:冠心病组明显高于正常对照组,三支病变组高于双支病变组和单支病变组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01),双支病变组与单支病变组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),支架置入术后较术前显著降低(P<0.01),术后冠心病组与对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),对照组术前术后差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:冠心病患者血清MCP-1、VEGF水平与冠脉病变程度密切相关,介入治疗可影响冠心病患者血清MCP-1水平的升高和VEGF水平降低,监测血清中MCP-1和VEGF水平变化可了解治疗效果和炎症程度.     

全反式维甲酸对兔动脉粥样硬化病灶中MCP-1 和TLR-4

目的:观察全反式维甲酸(ATRA)对兔颈动脉粥样硬化性病灶中内膜增生、MCP-1及TLR-4表达的影响,探讨其可能的抗炎机制。方法:新西兰雄性大白兔随机分为9组(n=6):对照组(A、B、C)、治疗组(A、B、C)、假手术组(A、B、C)。除假手术组外,其余两组给予高脂饮食2周后,对照组及治疗组给予颈动脉内膜空气干燥术损伤颈动脉内膜,假手术组分离暴露颈动脉但不损伤内膜,治疗组术前3天给予ATRA灌胃,直至处死。术后分别于7d、14d、28d处死。采取颈动脉标本,对血管粥样硬化病变进行形态学观察及测定,采用免疫组化法检测MCP-1及TLR-4表达水平。结果:从形态学观察及免疫组化检测看,对照组较假手术组内膜明显增生,MCP-1及TLR-4表达增多,治疗组内膜较对照组增生减轻,两种因子表达减少。结论:全反式维甲酸(ATRA)对兔颈动脉粥样硬化性病灶中的抗炎作用可能是通过抑制MCP-1及TLR-4等炎症因子的表达来发挥作用的。     

菊花总黄酮对RSV感染A549细胞趋化因子的影响

目的:探讨菊花总黄酮对小儿RSV感染A549细胞诱导RANTES及MCP-1释放作用影响。方法:实验分为细胞对照组,病毒对照组,菊花总黄酮组和病毒唑组。在Hep-2细胞和A549细胞分别加入菊花总黄酮和病毒唑的含药维持液,测定上述两种药物的最大无毒浓度;RSV病毒感染Hep-2细胞,观察药物对RSV的病毒抑制作用;RSV感染A549细胞,ELISA法测细胞趋化因子RANTES及MCP-1含量。结果:菊花总黄酮50%有效率优于病毒唑组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);RANTES及MCP-1释放抑制作用比较中,菊花总黄酮组RANTES、MCP-1明显降低,优于病毒唑组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:菊花总黄酮能够抑制RSV病毒活性,明显降低A549细胞释放RANTES、MCP-1,缓解患儿的呼吸道症状,对临床具有指导意义,值得临床推广。     

正交设计筛选三七皂苷单体最佳组合及对血管内皮保护作用评价

目的:利用正交实验筛选出三七皂苷单体最佳组合并观察其对氧化低密度脂蛋白(Ox-LDL)损伤血管内皮细胞的保护作用。方法:体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC),加入100mg.L-1OX-LDL诱导单核-内皮细胞黏附,蛋白染料法测定黏附值,通过正交试验设计筛选出三七皂苷单体最佳组合;比色法检测乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的释放量;硝酸还原法和放射免疫法分别测定HU-VEC培养上清液中一氧化氮(NO)、内皮素(ET)含量。结果:获得最佳PNS单体组合为:Rg1:Rb1:R1为1:10:1(Rg110-5mol/L、Rb110-4mol/L、R110-5mol/L),最佳单体组合显著降低LDH及ET水平,提高NO含量(P<0.01)。结论:由正交实验设计筛选出的最佳单体组合对OX-LDL所致的血管内皮细胞损伤有显著的保护作用。     

血清MCP-1、RANTES及CysC联合检测对急性冠状动脉综合征的诊断价值

目的:探讨联合检测血清单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)、活化T细胞趋化因子(RANTES)及半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂C(Cys C)对急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者的早期诊断和预后评估价值。方法:选择200例于2012年10月到2013年10月在本院就诊的冠心病患者200例,其中ACS患者120例(为ACS组),另稳定型心绞痛(SAP)患者80例(SAP组),另选择同期40例健康人为对照组。115例患者有冠状动脉粥样硬化,其中40例钙化斑块组、42例纤维斑块组及33例软斑块组,进行CT检查;用双抗体夹心酶联免疫(ELISA)法检测患者血清MCP-1、RANTES、Cys C及高敏C反应蛋白(Hs-CRP)水平,并用logistic回归方程评价联合检测MCP-1、RANTES及Cys C预测ACS的效果。结果:与SAP组、对照组相比,ACS组患者MCP-1、RANTES、Cys-C、Hs-CRP、LDL-C及空腹血糖(FBG)浓度均明显升高(P0.05);HDL-C浓度明显降低(P0.05);与纤维斑块组、钙化斑块组相比,软斑块组MCP-1、RANTES及Cys-C浓度均明显升高(P0.05);与钙化斑块组相比,纤维斑块组MCP-1、RANTES及Cys-C浓度均明显升高(P0.05);联合检测血清MCP-1、RANTES、Cys-C预测ACS患者,阳性准确率为89.2%,阴性准确率为92.5%,综合准确率为90.8%,明显高于单纯Hs-CRP的检测方法(P0.05)。结论:血清MCP-1、RANTES及Cys C联合检测对急性冠状动脉综合征的诊断效果优于单纯检测Hs-CRP。该联合检测方法具有一定的临床应用价值。     

血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100蛋白水平变化对脑梗死患者病情的影响

探讨血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100蛋白水平变化对脑梗死患者病情的影响。选择2016年3月至2017年5月期间我院确诊的脑梗死患者60例作为研究对象,男性30例,女性30例,平均年龄为(60.2±8.1)岁。选择同期在我院进行体检的30名健康志愿者作为对照组。采用酶联免疫双抗体夹心法检测受试者血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100蛋白水平。脑梗死患者的血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100水平均高于对照组(p<0.05)。进展性脑梗死患者血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100水平显著升高(p<0.05)。轻型神经功能缺损患者的血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100水平显著低于中型和重型患者(p<0.05),中型患者血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100水平均显著低于重型患者(p<0.05)。脑梗死患者的血清MCP-1、VE-cadherin和S-100参与脑梗死的发生发展,并且与脑梗死患者的临床表现和神经功能缺损程度有关。     

油酸对培养血管内皮细胞的直接损伤作用

本研究发现:油酸可引起内皮细胞特征性形态变化;内皮细胞与血小板粘附性增强;内皮细胞~(51)Cr释放率、细胞上清液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)浓度升高,表明油酸引起细胞通透性升高;培养上清液中6-酮-PGF_(1a)含量升高,提示细胞代谢功能的改变。在一定范围内,上述改变与油酸浓度、作用时间有密切关系。结果还表明,油酸对培养血管内皮细胞有直接损伤作用,推测油酸对内皮细胞的直接损伤,在急性肺损伤早期内皮细胞损伤发病机制中占有重要的地位。     

Cryptotanshinone inhibits endothelin-1 expression and stimulates nitric oxide production in human vascular endothelial cells

The Chinese herb Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) has been found to have beneficial effects on the circulatory system. In the present study, we investigated the effects of cryptotanshinone (derived from SM) on endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The effect of cryptotanshinone on nitric oxide (NO) in HUVECs was also examined. We found that cryptotanshinone inhibited basal and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulated ET-1 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. Cryptotanshinone also induced a concentration-dependent decrease in ET-1 mRNA expression. Cryptotanshinone increased basal and TNF-alpha-attenuated NO production in a dose-dependent fashion. Cryptotanshinone induced a concentration-dependent increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression without significantly changing neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in HUVECs in the presence or absence of TNF-alpha. NOS activities in the HUVECs were also induced by cryptotanshinone. Furthermore, decreased ET-1 expression in response to cryptotanshinone was not antagonized by the NOS inhibitor l-NAME. A gel shift assay further showed that TNF-alpha-induced Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity was significantly reduced by cryptotanshinone. These data suggest that cryptotanshinone inhibits ET-1 production, at least in part, through a mechanism that involves NF-kappaB but not NO production.     

Proteomic analysis effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Ginsenoside Rg1 (derived from ginseng root) has been found to have many vasoprotective activities. The present study was undertaken to examine effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with or without tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). We showed here that ginsenoside Rg1 can increase the basal and TNF-alpha-attenuated NO production in a dose-dependent manner. As little is known regarding the vascular molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on HUVECs and proteomic technique has more advantages in molecular identification, we attempted to use proteomic analysis to explain vascular molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on HUVECs. Proteomic analytical result showed that 21 protein spots were changed in TNF-alpha stimulated HUVECs, including 9 up-regulated spots, 11 down-regulated spots, and 1 spot detected in TNF-alpha stimulated group only. The expression level of proteins such as MEKK3, phosphoglycerate mutase was increased, and nitric-oxide synthase, mineralocorticoid receptor were decreased in TNF-alpha stimulated HUVECs, while ginsenoside Rg1 could prevent this change or reverse to some degree. This study suggested that NO production increased via ginsenoside Rg1 played an important role in the protective effect on TNF-alpha stimulated HUVECs and was helpful to deeply understand the active mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 to HUVECs at the molecular level.     

GLP-1对人脐静脉内皮细胞释放NO的影响及机制的研究

目的:观察胰高糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)对脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)释放一氧化氮(NO)的影响,并探讨GLP-1受体及GLP-1(9-36)在其中的作用。方法:分别以GLP-1、艾塞那肽、GLP-1(9-36)、GLP-1+exendin(9-39)、GLP-1+西格列汀、GLP-1+西格列汀+exendin(9-39)孵育HUVECs,取培养上清以硝酸还原酶法检测NO浓度。结果:GLP-1剂量依赖性的增加HUVECs中NO释放,艾塞那肽和GLP-1(9-36)均可刺激NO释放,exendin(9-39)和西格列汀均可部分阻断GLP-1引起的NO释放。结论:GLP-1可能通过GLP-1受体及GLP-1(9-36)相关的途径刺激HUVECs NO释放,发挥直接的血管保护作用。     

羟基红花黄色素A对脂多糖作用后血管内皮细胞诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达的影响

旨在探讨羟基红花黄色素A(hydroxysafflor yellow A,HSYA)对脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)作用后人脐静脉内皮细胞株HUVECs细胞株诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS)表达的影响.培养HUVECs细胞株,用 1 mg/L LPS及不同浓度的HYSA处理细胞24 h,MTT法检测细胞增殖情况,硝基还原酶法检测培养液中一氧化氮(NO)含量,RT-PCR及Western blotting检测iNOS表达.结果表明0.01、0.1 mmol/L HYSA对LPS引起的iNOS升高无明显作用,但1 mmol/L HYSA能明显抑制LPS作用后高度表达的iNOS量.因此,HYSA能下调LPS所致iNOS的异常表达,这可能有助于临床治疗血管炎症疾病.     

Nitric oxide modulation of focal adhesions in endothelial cells

A permissive role of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial cellmigration and angiogenesis promoted by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin, and substance P has previously been established. The present studies were designed to examine the mechanism(s) involved in the NO effect on focal adhesions. Time-lapse videomicroscopy of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) plated on the silicone rubber substrate revealed that unstimulated cells were constantly remodeling the wrinkling pattern, indicative ofchanging tractional forces. Application of NO donors reversibly decreased the degree of wrinkling, consistent with the release oftractional forces exerted by focal adhesions and stress fibers. Morphometric and immunocytochemical analyses showed that NO inhibited adhesion and spreading of HUVECs and attenuated recruitment of paxillinto focal adhesions. NO also had a profound dose-dependent effect on theformation of stress fibers by HUVECs. De novo formation of focaladhesions in HUVECs was significantly diminished in the presence of NOdonors. Migration of HUVECs showed an absolute requirement for thefunctional NO synthase. NO donors did not interfere with focal adhesionkinase recruitment to focal adhesions but affected the state of itstyrosine phosphorylation, as judged from the results ofimmunoprecipitation and immunoblotting experiments. Videomicroscopy ofHUVECs presented with VEGF in a micropipette showed that the rate ofcell migration was slowed down by NO synthase inhibitionas well as by inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation. Collectively,these data indicate that NO reversibly releases tractional forcesexerted by spreading endothelial cells via interference with the denovo formation of focal adhesions, tyrosine phosphorylation ofcomponents of focal adhesion complexes, and assembly of stress fibers.

     

Identification of nitric oxide as an endogenous activator of the AMP-activated protein kinase in vascular endothelial cells

In endothelial cells, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is stimulated by sheer stress or growth factors that stimulate release of nitric oxide (NO). We hypothesized that NO might act as an endogenous activator of AMPK in endothelial cells. Exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to NO donors caused an increase in phosphorylation of both Thr-172 of AMPK and Ser-1177 of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, a downstream enzyme of AMPK. NO-induced activation of AMPK was not affected by inhibition of LKB1, an AMPK kinase. In contrast, inhibition of calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase abolished the effect of NO in HUVECs. NO-induced AMPK activation in HeLa S3 cells was abolished by either 1H-(1,2,4)-oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalon-1-one, a potent inhibitor for guanylyl cyclase, or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM), an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, indicating that NO-induced AMPK activation is guanylyl cyclase-mediated and calcium-dependent. Exposure of HUVECs or isolated mice aortas to either calcium ionophore A23187 or bradykinin significantly increased AMPK Thr-172 phosphorylation, which was abolished by N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Finally, A23187- or bradykinin-enhanced AMPK activation was significantly greater in aortas from wild type mice than those in the aortas of endothelial nitric oxide synthase knock-out mice. Taken together, we conclude that NO might act as an endogenous AMPK activator.     

Role of extracellular DNA oxidative modification in radiation induced bystander effects in human endotheliocytes

The development of the bystander effect induced by low doses of irradiation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) depends on extracellular DNA (ecDNA) signaling pathway. We found that the changes in the levels of ROS and NO production by human endothelial cells are components of the radiation induced bystander effect that can be registered at a low dose. We exposed HUVECs to X-ray radiation and studied effects of ecDNA(R) isolated from the culture media conditioned by the short-term incubation of irradiated cells on intact HUVECs. Effects of ecDNA(R) produced by irradiated cells on ROS and NO production in non-irradiated HUVECs are similar to bystander effect. These effects at least partially depend on TLR9 signaling. We compared the production of the nitric oxide and the ROS in human endothelial cells that were (1) irradiated at a low dose; (2) exposed to the ecDNA(R) extracted from the media conditioned by irradiated cells; and (3) exposed to human DNA oxidized in vitro. We found that the cellular responses to all three stimuli described above are essentially similar. We conclude that irradiation-related oxidation of the ecDNA is an important component of the ecDNA-mediated bystander effect.     

Regulation of NF-kappaB activation and nuclear translocation by exogenous nitric oxide (NO) donors in TNF-alpha activated vascular endothelial cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a unique mediator which may promote or suppress inflammation. In this study, we examine the effect of exogenous NO on nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in quiescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) subsequently activated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and in HUVECs previously activated by TNF-alpha, a model of vascular inflammation. Quiescent and activated HUVECs are exposed to exogenous NO donors of varying half-lives and the degree of NF-kappaB translocation into the nucleus determined by unique application of immunofluorescence image analysis in whole cells and correlative biochemical analysis of activated NF-kappaB proteins in the nucleus. NO donors with shorter half-lives are more effective in blocking the activation and translocation of NF-kappaB, when added to quiescent HUVECs prior to cellular activation by TNF-alpha. However, in previously activated HUVECs where NF-kappaB had relocated into the cytoplasm, addition of short half-life NO donors, but not TNF-alpha, induced re-translocation of NF-kappaB back into the nucleus sustaining the inflamed cell phenotype. These data suggest that NO as an inhibitor or activator of NF-kappaB may depend on the state of activation of vascular endothelial cells in which it contacts. Additionally, in activated cells, NO may modulate expression of NF-kappaB-dependent gene products, when cytokines are ineffective.     

Effects of endomorphins on human umbilical vein endothelial cells under high glucose

The endomorphin-1 (EM1) and endomorphin-2 (EM2) are endogenous opioid peptides, which modulate extensive bioactivities such as pain, cardiovascular responses, immunological responses and so on. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of EM1/EM2 on the primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) damaged by high glucose. PI AnnexinV-FITC detection was performed to evaluate the apoptosis rate. Levels of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were measured by the Griess reaction and the conversion of 3H-arginine to 3H-citrulline, respectively. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell proliferation was determined by the MTT viability assay. mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and ET-1 were measured by real-time PCR. Our data showed that EM1/EM2 inhibited cell apoptosis. The high glucose induced increase in expression of NO, NOS and ET-1 were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with EM1/EM2 in a dose dependent manner. In addition, EM1/EM2 suppressed the mRNA eNOS and mRNA ET-1 expression in HUVECs under high glucose conditions. Naloxone, the nonselective opioid receptor antagonist, did not influence the mRNA eNOS expression when it was administrated on its own; but it could significantly antagonize the effects induced by EM1/EM2. Furthermore, in all assay systems, EM1 was more potent than EM2. The results suggest that EM1/EM2 have a beneficial effect in protecting against the endothelial dysfunction by high glucose in vitro, and these effects were mediated by the opioid receptors in HUVECs.     

Methylglyoxal and high glucose co-treatment induces apoptosis or necrosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Hyperglycemia and elevation of methylglyoxal (MG) are symptoms of diabetes mellitus (DM). We previously showed that high glucose (HG; 30 mM) or MG (50-400 microM) could induce apoptosis in mammalian cells, but these doses are higher than the physiological concentrations of glucose and MG in the plasma of DM patients. The physiological concentration of MG and glucose in the normal blood circulation is about 1 microM and 5 mM, respectively. Here, we show that co-treatment with concentrations of MG and glucose comparable to those seen in the blood circulation of DM patients (5 microM and 15-30 mM, respectively) could cause cell apoptosis or necrosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. HG/MG co-treatment directly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in HUVECs, leading to increases in intracellular ATP levels, which can control cell death through apoptosis or necrosis. Co-treatment of HUVECs with 5 microM MG and 20 mM glucose significantly increased cytoplasmic free calcium levels, activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), caspase-3 and -9, cytochrome c release, and apoptotic cell death. In contrast, these apoptotic biochemical changes were not detected in HUVECs treated with 5 microM MG and 30 mM glucose, which appeared to undergo necrosis. Pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) scavengers could inhibit 5 microM MG/20 mM glucose-induced cytochrome c release, decrease activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and increase the gene expression and protein levels of p53 and p21, which are known to be involved in apoptotic signaling. Inhibition of p53 protein expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) blocked the activation of p21 and the cell apoptosis induced by 5 microM MG/20 mM glucose. In contrast, inhibition of p21 protein expression by siRNA prevented apoptosis in HUVECs but had no effect on p53 expression. These results collectively suggest that the treatment dosage of MG and glucose could determine the mode of cell death (apoptosis vs. necrosis) in HUVECs, and both ROS and NO played important roles in MG/HG-induced apoptosis of these cells.