Rosiglitazone Reduces Apoptosis and Inflammation in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

BACKGROUND: Although the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist rosiglitazone has significant anti-inflammatory properties, no scientific studies have provided new insights in its pharmacological properties with respect to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The present investigation aimed to evaluate whether rosiglitazone can reduce apoptosis and inflammation in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in vitro model. MATERIAL/METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 1 μg/ml LPS in the absence or presence of 10 μM rosiglitazone for 24 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to examine the cell apoptosis and ROS production in HUVECs response to LPS and rosiglitazone. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine factors, including TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL12, and CXCR4, were measured by ELISA, real-time PCR, and Western blot assay, respectively. The expression of PPARγ, Bcl-2, and Bax and the activity of JAK2 and STAT3 were also investigated by Western blot assay. RESULTS: We found that rosiglitazone significantly inhibited LPS-induced cell apoptosis, ROS production, and inflammation in HUVECs. Furthermore, we found a significant reduction of JAK2/STAT3 activation and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in LPS-induced HUVECs response to rosiglitazone treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with rosiglitazone can reduce apoptosis and inflammation in HUVECs induced by LPS.