Effects of uremic toxin p-cresol on oxidative stress in human coronary artery endothelial cells

Objective To investigate the effects of uremic toxin p-cresol (PC) on the oxidative stress of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Methods HCAECs were cultured in vitro, and treated with different concentrations of free PC alone or combined with 4% albumin for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay; The production of cellular reactive oxygen free radicals (reactive oxygen species, ROS) was detected with specific ELISA kit; The mRNA levels of NADPH oxidases NOX2 and NOX4 were measured with real-time PCR; The protein levels of NOX2, NOX4, p-p38 and p-38 were tested with Western blotting. Results Free and protein-bound PC significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCAECs (P < 0.05), increased the production of ROS (P < 0.05), enhanced the mRNA expression levels of NOX2 and NOX4 (P < 0.05), and up-regulated the protein levels of NOX2, NOX4 and p-p38 in HCAECs (P < 0.05). Conclusion The free and protein-bound PC induces oxidative stress and inhibits the proliferation of HCAECs by regulating the MAPKs signaling pathway