Abstract：Objective To study the effects of salvianolate on the calcification in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods Calcification of cultured rat VSMCs was prepared by incubation with β-glycerophosphate. Calcification was confirmed by measurement of calcium content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in VSMCs. The mRNA and protein levels of BMP-2 were detected by using real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Compared with control group, 3. 92- fold calcium content and 10.5-fold increase in ALP activity were observed in calcified VSMCs group, respectively. Levels of mRNA and protein of BMP-2 were significantly increased in calcified group. Salvianolate decreased the calcium and ALP activity in a dose-dependent manner, these data were decreased by 32.3 %, 42.2%, 60.9%(P<0.05); 36.4%, 48.8% and 74.7% (P<0.01), respectively. And salvianolate decreased the mRNA and protein levels of BMP-2. Conclusion Salvianolate may have cardiovascular protecting effect by antagonizing vascular calcification, maybe by regulating BMP-2 level.
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2013, Vol. 24 
