OBJECTIVETo observe effect of Huoxue injection on the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), the adherence of monocytes to endothelial cells, and the regulation role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injury induced by the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).

METHODThe ox-LDL (100 mg x L(-1)) was added to the cultured HUVEC to prepare the injury model of HUVEC. The adhesive percentage between HUVEC treated with ox-LDL and monocytes was determined by protein quantification. Expression of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively. The percentage of positive cells and the ratio of nuclei and cytoplasm of NF-kappaB p65 staining in HUVEC the were examined by cell immunochemistry.

RESULTTreatment of HUVEC with ox-LDL for 12, 24 hours significantly increased adhesion of monocytes to HUVEC and enhanced the expressions of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. The percentage of positive cells and the ratio of nuclei and cytoplasm of NF-kappaB p65 staining in HUVEC were significantly increased after treatment with ox-LDL for 24 hours. Huo Xue Injection could significantly inhibit the adhesion between monocyte and HUVEC, the expression of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and declined the percentage of positive cells and the ratio of nuclei and cytoplasm of NF-kappaB p65 staining in HUVEC. The effects were strengthened with increasing the deal of Huoxue injection.

CONCLUSIONHuoxue injection has an inhibitory effect on the adherence of monocytes to HUVEC, probably by way of down-regulating the expression of mRNA and protein of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in HUVEC. The mechanism is probably associated with inhibiting the activation of NF-kappaB p65 of HUVEC. The effects of Huoxue injection can bring about the protective effect to endothelial cells injury induced by ox-LDL.