Effects Of Curcumin On Expression Of Thrombospondin-4in Mouse Macrophages

Objective to investigate the effect of curcumin on the expression of IHBS-4(thrombospondin-4) in mouse macrophages cell line ANA-1, seeking its anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of action.Methods OxLDL (oxidized low density lipoprotein) was prepared and used to treat macrophages. The cells were randomized into5equal groups:Normal Control Group, Model Group, Low-dose Curcumin Group, Middle-dose Curcumin Group, High-dose Curcumin Group. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Expression of Thrombospondin-4was determined by Real-Time Quantitative PCR and Western Blot.Results MTT assay showed that there was no significant difference20μmol/L oxLDL and0～25μmol/L curcumin of the tested concentrations are not toxic to macrophages. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that THBS-4mRNA expression was reduced by89.12%in the Model Group compared to the Normal Control Group, whereas, expression was increased by32.26%,162.08%and1375.70%in the Low-dose Curcumin Group, Middle-dose Curcumin Group and High-dose Curcumin Group compared to Model Group(p<0.05, or p<0.001). Further Western Blot data confirmed that curcumin significantly prevented the decreased expression of THBS-4induced by oxLDL (20μg/ml) in macrophages at concentrations of5,15, and25μmol/L(p<0.05, or p<0.001).Conclusions One of the anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of curcumin is that it might prevent a-decrease in the expression of THBS-4induced by oxLDL.