[Expression of NF-kappaB and its downstream products in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells treated with paraquat].

Objective: To investigate the expression of NF-kappaB and its downstream products in the human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) treated with paraquat.

Methods: The HUVEC were cultured in vitro. The activation and location of NF-kappaB P65 protein were detected by immunocytochemical method at 8 h, 24 h and 48 h after treatment with paraquat. The mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-8 were detected by RT-PCR.

Results: Immunocytochemical analyses revealed that the activity subunit of NF-kappaB P65 was located in cytoplasm of normal HUVEC. When the cells were treated with paraquat, positive staining in nuclear was observed. The sum of positive nuclear got more as the paraquat treated time increased. The RT-PCR verified the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-8 was up-regulated until 48 h after treatment with paraquat.

Conclusion: NF-kappaB could be activated at the early phase of paraquat poisoning. The activated NF-kappaB will induce the synthesis of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-8 and then induce the inflammatory reaction. The inflammatory reaction have participated the tissue damage at the early phase of paraquat poisoning.