OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of vitexia-rhamnoside (V-R) on vasomotor factor expression of endothelial cell (EC) damaged by hypoxia and reoxygenation.

METHODThe cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUV ECs) were subject to ischemia and reperfusion following hypoxia and reoxygenation. The levels of ET-1, NO and NOS intracellular in culture supertanants were measured by radioimmunity, Griess and immunohistochemistry, respectively. And the gene expressions of ET-1 and NOS intracellular were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTV-R at different doses markedly increased the gene expression and activity of NOS, enhanced the level of vaso-dilating factor NO, and significantly decreased the gene expression and production of vaso-constricting factor ET-1 of EC.

CONCLUSIONWe have demonstrated that V-R had the regulatory effect on the expression of vaso-active substances of EC damaged by hypoxia and reoxygenation in the levels of protein and gene transcription of cytokines.