Objective: To investigate the effects of tetrandrine on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity and proliferation of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) rats vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
Methods: DM models were established,the culture of DM and normal VSMCs were done by modified tissue-piece incoculztion; Inhibitory effect of Tetrandrine was determined by cell counting kit (CCK-8). Immunofluorescence laser confocal microscopy was used to estimate the effect of NF-kappaB in DM VSMCs with Tet.
Results: Tetrandrine inhibited the proliferation of DM and normal VSMCs,the IC50 value was (11.35 +/- 1.24) micromol/L and (28.01 +/- 4.35) micromol/L, respectively. Furthermore, Tetrandrine strongly inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB in DM VSMCs and reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB.
Conclusion: Tetrandrine inhibits the proliferation of DM VSMCs more effectively than that of normal, the mechanism may be related to reducing NF-kappaB nuclear translocation.