Title:Curcumin Reduces Hypoxia/Reperfusion Injury of Cardiomyocytes by
Stimulating Vascular Endothelial Cells to Secrete FGF2
Volume: 27
Issue: 14
Author(s): Jian-kun Cui, Mingming Fan and Qinwen Wang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Garrison District Haidian Retired Cadres Twenty-
sixth, Beijing, China
Keywords:
Hypoxia-reoxygenation, curcumin, FGF2, co-culture system, apoptosis, autophagy.
Abstract:
Objective: Endothelial cells (ECs) can provide cell protection for cardiomyocytes
(CMs) under hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) conditions by secreting derived factors. This study
aimed to explore the role of curcumin (CUR) in ECs for protecting CMs from HR injury.
Methods: A co-culture system for ECs and CMs was set up, and subjected to HR. The transcription,
expression, and secretion of FGF2 were detected by RT-qPCR, western blot, and
ELISA, respectively. siRNAs specifically targeting FGF2 were transfected into ECs. FGF2 receptor-
specific inhibitors (AZD4547) were used to treat CMs.
Results: The co-culture with ECs did not affect the proliferation of CMs, while CUR and ECs
co-culture had a synergistic effect on promoting the proliferation of CMs in HR. Furthermore,
the co-culture with ECs did not affect the apoptosis and autophagy of CMs in HR. However, the
co-culture of ECs after CUR treatment inhibited the apoptosis and autophagy of CMs in HR.
CUR treatment significantly enhanced FGF2 mRNA, protein, and secretion levels of ECs in
HR. In addition, CUR treatment increased FGF2 levels in the CMs medium in the ECs and
CMs co-culture system. The reduction of FGF2 levels in the medium and the inhibition of
FGF2 receptors significantly inhibited the proliferation of CMs and significantly promoted the
apoptosis and autophagy of CMs in HR.
Conclusion: Focusing on the protective effects of CUR and ECs on cardiomyocytes is of great
significance for the treatment of clinical myocardial HR injury.
