Effect of Tongmai Decoction on expression of NF-κB in ox-LDL injured endothelial cells

Objective Study on the effect of NF-κB in ox-LDL injured HUVEC-304 and the intervention with the serum of Tongmai Decoction. Methods Tongmai Decoction herbage-contained serum was made by the serum pharmacology methods, then the HUVEC-304 cells were divided into 5 groups and incubated for 24 h: 1) normal group; 2) fetal calf serum group; 3) ox-LDL group; 4) simvastatin group; 5) Tongmai Decoction group. RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA of NF-κB in the cells, Western Blot Assay was used to determine the protein content of NF-κB in the cells. Results 1) Compared with the cells in normal group and serum control group, the endothelial cells in ox-LDL group are seriously injured, while those in Tongmai Decoction group grow better; 2) Compared with the cells in normal group and fetal calf serum group, the expressions of NF-κB gene and protein are up-regulated in ox-LDL group(P<0.05, P<0.01); 3) Compared with the cells in ox-LDL group, the expression of NF-κB gene and protein in Tongmai Decoction group are significantly down-regulated, there is no difference between Tongmai Decoction group and simvastatin group(PP>0.05). Conclusion Tongmai Decoction can protect the injured endothelial cells, up-regulate the expressions of NF-κB gene and protein content.