BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Aug 2012)

A Chinese herbal formula "Gan-Lu-Yin" suppresses vascular smooth muscle cell migration by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 through the PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways

  • Chien Yi-Chung,
  • Sheu Ming-Jyh,
  • Wu Chieh-Hsi,
  • Lin Wen-Hsin,
  • Chen Ying-Yi,
  • Cheng Po-Liang,
  • Cheng Hsu-Chen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-137
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 137

Abstract

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Abstract Background This study was to explore the effects of Gan-Lu-Yin (GLY) on the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by fetal bovine serum and on neointima formation in a rat model of carotid artery balloon injury. Methods VSMCs were treated with different concentrations of GLY, and then analyzed with Flow cytometric analysis, zymography, transwell, and western blotting. SD rats received balloon-injury were analyzed with H&E staining. Results Our results showed that GLY significantly decreased the thickness of neointima. The inhibition by non-cytoxic doses of GLY of VSMCs migration was through its negative regulatory effects on phosphorylated ERK1/2, PI3K/AKT, and FAK. The data showed that GLY can inhibit the migration of VSMCs cells, and might block injury-induced neointima hyperplasia via the inhibition of VSMCs migration, without inducing apoptosis. Conclusions These observations provide a mechanism of GLY in attenuating cell migration, thus as a potential intervention for restenosis.

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