Curcumin Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Induced Effects on TGF-β Expression and NF-κB Signaling in Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Objectives: The endothelium constitutes a significant part of the vasculature. Oxidative stress, an imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant defense system, contributes to the impairment of endothelial function. ROS regulate several signaling pathways, such as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, on these two molecules in endothelial cells treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ).
 Methods: Cultured Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were treated with different concentrations of H2 O2 (20 µM, 40 µM, and 200μM) for 1 and 24 hours in the absence and presence of curcumin. TGF-β expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR analysis, and phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65 was examined by western blot.
 Results: H2 O2 up-regulates TGF-β mRNA expression and induces the phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-kB in a dose-dependent manner in BAECs. Curcumin inhibited both H2 O2 -stimulated TGF-β expression and phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65 in these cells.
 Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that curcumin reduces TGF-β mRNA expression and inhibits NFκB-p65 phosphorylation in endothelial cells.