Genistein inhibits ox-LDL-induced VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 expression of HUVECs through heme oxygenase-1.

Background And Aims: Genistein, a principal component of soybean isoflavones, plays an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis. However, the detailed mechanisms have not been fully investigated. The aims of this study were to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect and investigate potential pharmacological mechanism of genistein.

Methods: A model of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced injury in on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was established to evaluate the protective role of genistein. Macrophage/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) secretion and their messenger RNA transcription were observed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, the study investigated the role of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway during the process.

Results: Pretreatment with genistein markedly reduced ox-LDL-induced MCP-1, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 secretion and mRNA transcription, which was further decreased by the inducer of HO and reversed by the inhibitor of HO; additionally, the effects were accompanied with upregulating HO-1 mRNA and protein expression and markedly abolished with Nrf2 siRNA.

Conclusions: Anti-inflammatory effect of genistein on endothelial cells may be associated with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.