Luteolin inhibits lysophosphatidylcholine-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells by a calcium/mitocondrion/caspases-dependent pathway.

Luteolin, a naturally occurring polyphenol flavonoid, has demonstrated some beneficial modulation toward the endothelium. This study aims to investigate the effects of luteolin on lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced apoptosis, a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in endothelial cells. Luteolin reduced not only LPC-induced cell death but also lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage. Luteolin inhibition of LPC-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells demonstrated its protection against the cytotoxicity of LPC. LPC-induced apoptosis is characterized by a calcium-dependent mitochondrial pathway, involving calcium influx, activation of calpains, cytochrome C release and caspases activation. Luteolin reduced calcium influx. It also inhibited calpains activation and prevented the release of cytochrome C from mitochondrion. The inhibition of cytochrome C release by luteolin blocked the activation of caspase-3 and thus prevented subsequent endothelial cell apoptosis. These results suggested that luteolin inhibits LPC-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells through the blockage of the calcium-dependent mitochondrial pathway.