Objective: To investigate the effect of alpha-zearalenol on angiotensin II-induced beta3 integrin mRNA expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
Methods: The mRNA level in integrin beta3 was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Endothelial NF-kappaB activity was determined by the luciferase activity assay of plasmid NF-kappaB-LUC.
Results: The angiotensin II-induced beta3 integrin mRNA expression was inhibited by alpha-zearalenol and 17beta-estradiol (10 nmol/L -1 micromol/L), but not influenced by ICI 182, 780, a pure competitive antagonist for estrogen receptor or a nitric oxide inhibitor Nomega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride. Alpha-zearalenol and 17beta-estradiol suppressed the angiotensin II-induced activation of NF-kappaB in endothelial cells.
Conclusion: Alpha-zearalenol inhibits angiotensin II-induced integrin beta3 mRNA expression by suppressing NF-kappaB activation in endothelial cells.