Abstract 874: Role of Ginsenoside Rb1 in Resistin-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Acetyl-LDL and resistin have been proved to play a critical role in inducing VSMC malfunction in the process of atherosclerosis. Ginsenoside Rb1, a major consitituent of Ginseng that has been used for thousands of years, was reported to have powerful vascular-protective effect. Here we aim to explore its protective effect on Acetyl-LDL and resistin induced dysfunction in VSMCs. Methods: Human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) were used at passage 5 to 8 for experiments. Cells were treated for various time points with or without resistin at 40 ng/mL and Acetyl-LDL in the presence or absence of Rb1. TBHP was also used as a positive control. Cell migration was analyzed using scratch wound assay, and cytosolic ROS (H2DCFDA as a dye probe) was measured by microplate reader and compared among groups. Results: Resistin time-dependently increased HCASMC migration, which could be significantly attenuated by Rb1 at 20μM. Resistin and Act-LDL increased ROS production in HCASMCs to a similar level, while pretreatment with Rb1 reversed the effects by resistin and acetyl-LDL. In addition, we demonstrated that both resistin and Rb1 had dose-dependent effect on ROS production in HCSMCs and that Rb1 at 40μM pre-treatment significantly reduced resistin (40ng/ml) induced cytosolic ROS in VSMCs. Conclusion: We demonstrated the protective effect of Rb1 on HCASMC and showed, for the first time, that Rb1 pre-treatment being more effective than co-treatment, suggesting that ginsenoside Rb1 has the potential of protecting against atherosclerosis. More in-dept study is needed.