Suppression of vascular smooth muscle cells’ proliferation and migration by valsartan via MAPK pathway

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of valsartan on the proliferation and migration of isolated rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the expression of phospho-p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) promoted by angiotensin II (Ang II). VSMCs from the rat thoracic aorta were cultured by attachment-block culture. VSMCs’ proliferation and migration were measured by MTT assay and migration chamber system, respectively. Phospho-p42/44 MAPK expression was determined by western blot. Our results reveal that valsartan inhibits Ang II-induced VSMCs’ proliferation and migration via suppression of Ang II-induced phospho-P42/44 MAPK expression.

Key words: Vascular smooth muscle, valsartan, angiotensin II, mitogen-activated protein kinase.