Objective: To investigate the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
Methods: Rat VSMCs were stimulated with 0.25 mmol/L Hcy. Cells were collected and nuclear protein was extracted at 30 min, 1 h and 2 h following stimulation. NF-kappaB activity was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).
Result: Baseline NF-kappaB nuclear binding in VSMCs increased more than 1.76-fold at 30 min (P<0.01), 1.91-fold at 1h (P<0.01) and 1.84-fold at 2 h (P<0.01) following stimulation of Hcy.
Conclusion: Hcy can enhance transient mobilization of N-kappaB in VSMCs, which suggests that some regulating effect of Hcy on VSMCs might be exerted through NF-kappaB activation pathway.