Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. Inflammation, fibrosis, coagulability and oxidative stress exacerbate kidney disease. The glycoprotein, Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) has a crucial role in platelet thrombus formation. The enzyme ADAMTS13 is responsible for VWF cleavage. Both are important in the interface between diabetic nephropathy, hypercoagulability and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D inhibits endothelial proliferation, blunts angiogenesis and is a cardioprotective agent. This study evaluated the role of vitamin D on ADAMTS13 activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to a diabetic-like environment.
Methods: HUVEC were stimulated with 200µg/µl AGE-HSA, 250mg/dl glucose, and 10-10mol/l vitamin D for 24 hours. Western blot and ELISA techniques were used to determine ADAMTS13 protein expression and IL6 and IL8 protein secretion.
Results: ADAMTS13 protein expression decreased and IL6 and IL8 protein secretion increased in HUVEC exposed to a diabetic-like environment. The addition of vitamin D significantly down-regulated IL6 and IL8 secretion and up-regulated ADAMST13 expression.
Conclusions: Decreased ADAMTS13 expression in HUVEC exposed to a diabetic-like environment may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypercoagulability observed in DM. Normalization of ADAMTS13 by vitamin D may contribute to improvement in hypercoagulability.