OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α agonist bezafibrate and oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) expression and apoptosis in cardiac endothelial cells.

METHODSThe mRNA level of FGF21 was determined by real time-PCR and the protein concentration of FGF21 in culture media was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cultured cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) incubated with 10, 50, 100 µg/ml ox-LDL, 50, 100 or 200 µmol/L bezafibrate alone or in combination with 100 µg/ml ox-LDL. CMECs apoptosis in various treatment groups was also determined.

RESULTSFGF21 mRNA and protein expressions were significantly upregulated in proportion to increased ox-LDL, and 200 µmol/L bezafibrate alone also significantly upregulated FGF21 expression and CMECs apoptosis was significantly reduced in 200 µmol/L bezafibrate + 100 µg/ml ox-LDL group compared to 100 µg/ml ox-LDL group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that bezafibrate and ox-LDL induced upregulation of FGF21 might mediate the protective effect against apoptosis. Endogenous FGF21 could thus play important roles in improving the endothelial function at the early stage of atherosclerosis and slowing the development of coronary heart disease.