Open Access

Curcumin activates autophagy and attenuates high glucose‑induced apoptosis in HUVECs through the ROS/NF‑κB signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Qi-Hui Jin
    • Xu-Jun Hu
    • Hai-Yan Zhao
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 28, 2022     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11533
  • Article Number: 596
  • Copyright: © Jin et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Curcumin (CUR) is well known for its anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, the endothelial protective effect of CUR in diabetes and the underlying signaling pathway remains unclear. The goal of the current study was to provide evidence regarding the protective mechanism of CUR against the high glucose (HG)‑induced damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HG‑induced HUVECs injury model was used to evaluate the protective effect and the underlying mechanism of CUR against endothelial injury. The cell viability was determined by the MTT method. The cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by using flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of Bcl‑2, Bax, LC3‑II/I, Beclin‑1, p62, cleaved caspase‑3, IκBα and NF‑κB were measured by the western blotting. Results showed that CUR significantly decreased the cell apoptosis, the ROS generation and the inflammatory cytokine NF‑κB activity in the HG‑induced HUVECs versus the control, P<0.05. In addition, CUR significantly increased the expressions of LC3‑II/I, Beclin‑1, IκBα and Bax/Bcl‑2 in the HG‑induced HUVECs versus the control, P<0.05. Furthermore, the addition of autophagy inhibitor 3‑MA impaired the autophagy, exacerbated the apoptotic death and increased the ROS and NF‑κB levels in HUVECs under the high glucose condition, P<0.05. In brief, autophagy served a protective role in the HG‑induced apoptosis in HUVECs and CUR alleviated apoptosis by promoting autophagy and inhibiting the ROS/NF‑κB signaling pathway.
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September-2022
Volume 24 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Jin Q, Hu X and Zhao H: Curcumin activates autophagy and attenuates high glucose‑induced apoptosis in HUVECs through the ROS/NF‑κB signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 24: 596, 2022
APA
Jin, Q., Hu, X., & Zhao, H. (2022). Curcumin activates autophagy and attenuates high glucose‑induced apoptosis in HUVECs through the ROS/NF‑κB signaling pathway. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 24, 596. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11533
MLA
Jin, Q., Hu, X., Zhao, H."Curcumin activates autophagy and attenuates high glucose‑induced apoptosis in HUVECs through the ROS/NF‑κB signaling pathway". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 24.3 (2022): 596.
Chicago
Jin, Q., Hu, X., Zhao, H."Curcumin activates autophagy and attenuates high glucose‑induced apoptosis in HUVECs through the ROS/NF‑κB signaling pathway". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 24, no. 3 (2022): 596. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2022.11533