Effects of Epigallocatechingallate on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Calcification in Rats

Objective To explore the effects of epigallocatechingallate(EGCG) on vascular calcification.Methods Calcific vascular smooth muscular cells(VSMCs) were induced by β-glycerophosphate in rats.Rats were invided into four groups:the control,the calcification,EGCG and EGCG intervention groups(10-7,10-6,10-5 and 10-4 mol·L-1 subgroups).Von Kossa staining,the Ca2+ content and the alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity in VSMCs were measured.Results Lots of gathered black granules were found among the smooth muscle cells and its matrix by Von Kossa staining in VSMCs calcifacation group;more Calcium contents and ALP activities were observed in calcification group than those in control group;after treated with EGCG 10-7~10-4mol·L-1,the calcification in VSMCs was also attenuated and the total Ca2+ content and ALP activity in VSMCs showed decrease and a concentration-dependent manner.Conclusion The results indicated that EGCG can significantly attenuate the VSMCs calcification.