Losartan Inhibits Nuclear Factor-κB Activation Induced by Small, Dense LDL Cholesterol Particles in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate how losartan exerts protective effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury induced by small, dense, LDL (sLDL) cholesterol particles. Methods: sLDL cholesterol was isolated by a 2-steps method and the nuclear translocation and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in endothelial cells was observed by confocal microscopy and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Results: Losartan greatly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB induced by sLDL cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: sLDL cholesterol may be involved in endothelial dysfunction possibly through NF-κB activation; losartan protects against sLDL cholesterol-inducing endothelial cell injury by inhibiting NF-κB activation, suggesting that losartan may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Keywords

• losartan
• nuclear factor-κB
• small, dense, LDL