Abstract
Aim:
To investigate the synergistic action of L-carnitine (LC) and taurine (TAU) on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
Methods:
DNA and protein synthesis of VSMCs were assessed using scintillation counting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content were determined to investigate the effects of LC and TAU on the osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of VSMCs. TAU uptake by VSMCs was assayed. RNA interference was used to down-regulate the expression of the TAU transporter (TAUT) in rat VSMCs.
Results:
LC and TAU synergistically inhibited the proliferation and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-induced osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs as evidenced by the decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation, ALP activity and calcium deposition. Furthermore, LC stimulated the TAU uptake and TAUT expression in VSMCs. Suppression of TAUT with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) abolished the synergistic action of LC and TAU in VSMCs.
Conclusion:
The synergistic inhibitory action of LC and TAU on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs is attributable to the up-regulation of TAUT expression and TAU uptake by LC.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30600661, 30872708, 30801174, 30871191 and 30900622), the Scientific Research Foundation of the Health Bureau of Hunan Province (B2007058), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (05C0163) and the Post-doctorate Scientific Research Special-purpose Project of Hunan Province (2008RS4012).
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Xie, H., Yang, B., Zhou, Xm. et al. L-carnitine and taurine synergistically inhibit the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 31, 289–296 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2009.206
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/aps.2009.206
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