Figure 3 | Scientific Reports

Figure 3

From: Sildenafil Reduces Neointimal Hyperplasia after Angioplasty and Inhibits Platelet Aggregation via Activation of cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase

Figure 3

Inhibitory effect of sildenafil on proliferation and migration of VSMCs in vitro and in vivo. (a) Tryphan blue exclusion assay and BrdU incorporation assay demonstrated that sildenafil treatment reduced the proliferation of VSMCs, which was reversed by the cGK inhibitor (KT5823). cGK inh. = cGK inhibitor. * and ** indicate P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 respectively. (n = 7) (b) Immunohistochemical staining for PCNA (n = 6) or p21 (n = 3) expressions in the carotid artery wall. Sildenafil treatment decreased PCNA-positive cells and increased p21-positive cells in the vessels. Scale bar = 100 µm. (c) Wound migration assay shows that sildenafil treatment significantly inhibited VSMC migration (n = 5). Moreover, this effect was reversed by the cGK inhibitor (Rp-8-cPT-cGMP), suggesting that the inhibitory effect of sildenafil on proliferation and migration of VSMCs might be mediated via the cGK pathway. Scale bar = 100 µm. (d) Quantification graph of migration assay. ** indicates P < 0.01.

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