AIM: To investigate the change of heme oxygenase (HO)-carbon monoxide (CO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in vascular calcification, to clarify the cellular and molecular mechanimsm in vascular calcification.METHODS: Vascular calcification model was established in rats by using vitamin D 3 and nicotine. The relative content of HO-1 mRNA, immunochemistry (IH) for HO-1, HO activity, HbCO formation and content of cGMP in aorta were measured. RESULTS: Compared to those of control rats, the HO-1 mRNA level in vessels of rats in VDN group(vascular calcification group) were decreased by 34.9% ( P

AIM: To investigate the effect of taurine on calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).METHODS: Calcified VSMCs of rat in vitro were induced by ?-glycerophosphate. Cellular calcium content,alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities and accumulation were measured. DNA synthesis were evaluated by -thymidine (-TdR) incorporation. RESULTS: Calcium content,ALP activities and uptake of calcified VSMCs stimulated by taurine (5-20 mmol/L) were greatly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner as compared with calcified group ( P

AIM: To investigate the effect of metallothionein(MT) on proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by homocysteine and its mechanism. METHODS: VSMCs proliferation was measured by -TdR incorporation, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)activity were determined by immunoprecipitation method, the intracellular contents of MT and malondialdehyde (MDA)were assayed by [ 109 Cd]-hemoglobin saturation method and TBA reaction, respectively, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage was measured by NADH oxidation. RESULTS: Hcy(10 -6 -10 -4 mmol/L) stimulated -TdR incorporation by the VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with control, -TdR incorporation in VSMCs treated with 0.1 mmol/L Hcy was increased by 4.2 fold ( P