Inhibitory effect of Salidroside on the proliferation of rabbit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells under hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the effect of Salidroside on the proliferation, DNA synthesis, intracellular Ca 2+ content of rabbit PASMC (pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells) under hypoxia. METHODS: Techniques of cell culture, MTT test, -TdR incorporation, fluo-3 and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used. RESULTS: The A value of MTT and -TdR incorporation of PASMC increased significantly by 62% (P0.05) and 138% (P0.01) after 24 h hypoxia. Salidroside (32×10 -5 mol/L) inhibited the action of hypoxia on the proliferation of PASMC, the A value of MTT and -TdR incorporation declined significantly by 29% (P0.05) and 37% (P0.01) compared with hypoxia group. A calcium channel blocker, verapamil could also inhibit the accelerative effect of hypoxia on the proliferation of PASMC. The intracelluler Ca 2+ content of PASMC raised markedly under hypoxia, but the effect of hypoxia on the intracelluler Ca 2+ content could be inhibited by Salidroside. CONCLUSION: Salidroside inhibited the proliferation, DNA synthesis of PASMC induced by hypoxia. The inhibitory action of Salidroside on the increase in intracellular Ca 2+ concentration under hypoxia might be one of the mechenisms.