Phloretin Inhibits Platelet-derived Growth Factor-BB-induced Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Neointimal Formation After Carotid Injury

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2015 May;65(5):444-55. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000213.

Abstract

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration are key factors in many cardiovascular diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of phloretin on platelet-derived growth factor homodimer (PDGF-BB)-induced rat aortic smooth muscle cell (RASMC) proliferation, migration, and neointimal formation after carotid injury. Phloretin significantly inhibited the PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMC proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner (10-100 μM). Also, PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMC migration was inhibited by phloretin at 50 μM. Pretreating RASMC with phloretin dose-dependently inhibited PDGF-BB-induced Akt and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases activation. Furthermore, phloretin increased p27 and decreased cyclin-dependent kinase 2, CDK4 expression, and p-Rb activation in PDGF-BB-stimulated RASMC in a concentration-dependent manner (10-50 μM). PDGF-BB-induced cell adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression were blocked by phloretin at 50 μM. Preincubation with phloretin dose-dependently reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species production. In vivo study showed that phloretin (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced neointimal formation 14 days after carotid injury in rats. Thus, phloretin may have potential as a treatment against atherosclerosis and restenosis after vascular injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / drug effects
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology
  • Becaplermin
  • Carotid Arteries / drug effects
  • Carotid Arteries / pathology
  • Carotid Artery Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Carotid Artery Injuries / physiopathology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / pathology
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / pathology
  • Neointima*
  • Phloretin / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / pharmacology*
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Becaplermin
  • Phloretin