Ghrelin protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells against advanced glycation end products-induced apoptosis via NO/cGMP signaling

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the intracellular mechanism involved in the antiapoptotic effect of ghrelin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: HUVECs were pretreated with ghrelin before exposure to 200 mu g/ml advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-BSA for 48 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by MTT assay and Annexin V/PI staining. Intracellular cGMP levels evaluation and cGMP analogs were employed to explore possible mechanisms. Results: The inhibitory effect on AGEs induced HUVECs apoptosis could be exerted by ghrelin and co-incubation with growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)-1a antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 abolished this inhibition. Decreased cGMP level in AGEs induced HUVECs apoptosis was restored by ghrelin pretreatment and abolished by [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 co-incubation. cGMP analogs (8 Br-cGMP and DB-cGMP) pretreatment also exhibited inhibitory effect on AGEs induced HUVECs apoptosis. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that ghrelin produces a protective effect on HUVECs through GHS-R1a and cGMP/NO signaling pathway mediates the effect of ghrelin. These observations suggest a novel intracellular mechanism in the process of AGEs induced HUVECs apoptosis.