Effects and Mechanisms of Lycopene on the Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

AimTo study the effects and mechanisms of lycopene on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) proliferation.MethodsPrimary VSMCs were cultured by the tissue explants method. The cells proliferation was induced by DMEM medium with 10% newborn calf serum. All cells were divided into six groups including a normal control group, a negative control group, a model group and three test groups of lycopene (1, 0.1, 0.01 μmol·L−1). VSMCs proliferation was determined by MTT, and cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. In addition, the intracellular SOD activity and MDA concentration were also measured.ResultsLycopene at experimental concentrations could significantly inhibit VSMCs proliferation. It inhibited G1 phase cells into S phase, at the concentration of 1 and 0.1 μmol·L−1 enhanced SOD activity of cells and reduced the intracecellular MAD concentrations. These effects were found to be dose-dependentand had statistical significance compared with normal control group.ConclusionLycopene can inhibit VSMCs proliferation, which may be related to its ability of inhibiting cell cycle process. Its anti-oxidative property may have contributd to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the formation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Lycopene may have the potential to be developed as a new drug for preventing or treating atherosclerosis (AS).

摘 要目的：研究番茄红素对牛胸主动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的作用及作用机制。方法：采用组织块法体外培养牛胸主动脉平滑肌细胞, 以含10%小牛血清的培养基制备牛胸主动脉平滑肌细胞增殖模型。细胞分为正常组、阴性对照组、模型组及1、0.1和0.01 μmol·L−1三个不同浓度的番茄红素实验组。实验采用MTT法测定牛胸主动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖活性, 采用流式细胞术测定细胞周期分布, 并测定了细胞内的SOD活性和MDA含量。结果：番茄红素在三个实验浓度下都能显著抑制血管平滑肌细胞的增殖。一方面, 番茄红素抑制了G1期细胞进入S期; 另一方面, 番茄红素在1和0.1 μmol·L−1的浓度下, 能明显增强细胞中的SOD活性, 同时, 在三个给药浓度下, 细胞内的MDA含量都显著降低。这些作用都具有浓度依赖性, 并且与模型组比较均有统计学差异。结论：番茄红素对牛胸主动脉平滑肌细胞的增殖有抑制作用, 并且这种抑制作用可能与它能够抑制细胞进程和它的强抗氧化性能够抑制细胞中的脂质过氧化和氧化型低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)的形成有关。它有望成为防治动脉粥样硬化的一种新的药物。