[Effect of lycopene on the apoptosis of human peripheral endothelial progenitor cells cultivated in high concentration of glucose].

Objective: To investigate the effect of lycopene treatment on the proliferation and apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) incubated in a culture medium with high concentration of glucose.

Methods: Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. After being induced to differentiation, the endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) were identified by FITC-labeled Ulex europaeus agglutinin I and Dil labeled acetylated low density lipoprotein dual stain method. Then MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to assess the proliferation and apoptosis of EPCs.

Results: The glucose in a concentration of 33 mmol/L significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of EPCs (P < 0.05). The proliferation of EPCs in 10, 30 and 50 microg/ml lycopene groups were significantly higher than the 0 microg/ml group. The rate of apoptosis were significantly lower than the lycopene 0 microg/ml group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: High concentration of glucose attenuates the proliferative activity and increases the apoptotic rate of EPCs. Lycopene promotes the proliferation and reduces the apoptosis of EPCs cultivated in high glucose medium.