[Curcumin inhibits hypoxia-induced proliferation of MRC-5 and collagen I synthesis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of curcumin on MRC-5 in human embryo fibroblast (HEF) under hypoxia and possible underlying mechanism.

METHODS

The MRC-5 were cultured in vivo under 5 different conditions, including normal control, SB203580 (10 micromol/L), LY-294002 (10 micromol/L) and curcumin (5,10 and 20 micromol/L, respectively). The proliferation of MRC-5 was assessed by MTT assay and the expressions of pro-collal, p-p38 and p-AKT were detected by western blot.

RESULTS

Compared with the nomoxia control, hypoxia enhanced the proliferation of MRC-5 and the expressions of pro-collal, p-p38 and p-AKT (P < 0.05). Curcumin inhibited the hypoxia-induced proliferation of MRC and the expression of pro-collal and p-p38 (P < 0.05), but not the expression of p-AKT (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoxia might enhance the proliferation of MRC-5 cells and the expression of collagen I through PI3K/AKT and p38MAPK. Curcumin blocks the hypoxia influence through is impact on p38MAPK.