Objective: To investigate the effect of l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) on adhesion molecule expression induced by LPS in human umbilical vein endothelium cell (HUVEC).
Method: HUVEC were obtained from the human umbilical cord vein and treated by LPS or LPS plus different concentration of l-THP. Expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin was assayed by flow cytometer.
Result: l-THP(250 mg x L(-1)) markedly attenuated ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression induced by LPS(P <0.05). l-THP(50 mg x L(-1) inhibited E-selectin expression (P < 0.05) but had no effect on ICAM-1 (P > 0.05). l-THP (10 mg x L(-1)) had no effect on expression of both adhesion molecules. DXM (50 mg x L(-1)) completely inhibited both responses induced by LPS (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: l-THP depresses expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin induced by LPS, which suggests that I-THP represent a promising candidate to be developed into therapies for the treatment of inflammation.