PREVENTION OF PROBUCOL AGAINST H_2O_2-INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN RAT VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS

Objective:To investigate the effects of probucol on H 2O 2 induced apoptosis in rat VSMC.Methods:Relationship between alteration of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and VSMC apoptosis,as well as relation of probucol anti apoptosis of VSMC to the alteration of GSH level were observed by means of flow cytometry,high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Results:2mmol/L of H 2O 2 for 6h could result in the substantial decrease in intracellular GSHc levels (0.67μmol/L),with the significant increase in apoptosis rate(45.70%) as compared with control group.When VSMC were incubated with 2mmol/L of H 2O 2 plus 100μmol/L of probucol for 6h,the intracellular GSHc levels markedly resed again (3.53μmol/L, P0.01), and at the same time,the apoptosis rate greatly declined (21.59, P 0.05).Conclusion:2mmol/L of H 2O 2 can reduce intracellular GSHc levels and results in a large quantity of VSMC apoptosis.Probucol can protect VSMC against H 2O 2 induced apoptosis via maintaining the equilibrium of intracellular redox status and reducing the depletion of the intracellular GSH.