Heparin suppresses FoxO1/pFoxO1 signaling axis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: The atherosclerosis process relates to the dysfunction of different cells in the plaque microenvironment. The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role in atherosclerosis. Since the FoxO family is reported to control cell growth, thus the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Heparin, Betulinic acid, and Ibrutinib on the FoxO1/pFoxO1 axis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Beta arrestin-related signalling axes are influenced by dexamethasone and metformin in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in high glucose condition.

Background: Metformin (Met) and dexamethasone (Dexa) are known to reduce blood sugar levels and anti-inflammatory effects, respectively. Based on the acceleration of atherosclerosis process in diabetes, the β-arrestin 2 (BARR2) gene and protein expression levels were evaluated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) treated with Met and Dexa in high glucose conditions in this study.

Methods And Materials: Human VSMCs were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 (DMEM-F12) medium and, were treated with different values of Met (1 mM, 5 mM and 7 mM) and Dexa (10  M, 10  M and 10  M) in 24- and 48-h periods.