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Downregulation of p38 MAPK involved in inhibition of LDL-induced proliferation of mesangial cells and matrix by curcumin

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Summary

Curcumin, as a main pharmacological component in the traditional Chinese medicine—turmeric, has shown anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor and anti-fibrotic effects. This study aimed to investigate the possible underlying signaling pathway which was involved in the inhibition of LDL-induced proliferation of mesangial cells and matrix by curcumin. Rat mesangial cells in vitro were incubated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and different concentrations of curcumin (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0 μmol/L) or p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580 (10 μmol/L). Under LDL incubation, mesangial cells proliferated, the expression of MMP-2 mRNA and protein was decreased, the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein was increased, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was increased and p38 MAPK was activated significantly (P<0.05). When LDL-induced cells were treated with curcumin in the concentration of 12.5 or 25.0 μmol/L, LDL-induced proliferation of mesangial cells was suppressed, the expression of MMP-2 mRNA and protein increased, the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein downregulated, the production of ROS inhibited and p38 MAPK inactivated (P<0.05). In conclusion, curcumin can inhibit the LDL-induced proliferation of mesangial cells and up-regulate the expression of MMP-2, which may be related with the inhibitory effect of curcumin on COX-2 expression, ROS production and p38 MAPK.

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Correspondence to Min Han  (韩 敏).

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This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81100485) and Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Scholars, Ministry of Education of China (No. [2011]1568).

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Xia, Jm., Zhang, J., Zhou, Wx. et al. Downregulation of p38 MAPK involved in inhibition of LDL-induced proliferation of mesangial cells and matrix by curcumin. J. Huazhong Univ. Sci. Technol. [Med. Sci.] 33, 666–671 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-013-1178-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-013-1178-8

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