[Effects of parthenolide on high glucose-induced cell proliferation, NF-κB activation and MCP-1 expression in rat mesangial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of parthenolide (PTL) on high glucose-stimulated cell proliferation, NF-κB activation and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in rat mesangial cells (MCs).

METHODS: MCs were cultured in normal glucose (5.6 mmol/L), high glucose (30 mmol/L), or high glucose with PTL. MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation. MCP-1 content in the supernatant was measured by ELISA, and the level of IκBα was detected by Western blotting to reflect NF-κB activity. EMSA method was used to measure the activation of NF-κB.

RESULTS: MC proliferation, MCP-1 expression and NF-κB activation were significantly enhanced and the expression of NF-κB-binding protein IκBα was obviously reduced in cells cultured in high glucose. Application of PTL obviously abolished the effects of high glucose.

CONCLUSION: PTL can suppress high glucose-stimulated NF-κB activation and MCP-1 expression in rat MC. These data provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of PTL in prevention and control of diabetic nephropathy.