Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of valsartan, an angiotensinⅡ（AngⅡ）receptor blocker, on expression of inflammatory factors, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell proliferation of macrophages. Methods RAW264.7 macrophages cultured in vitro were randomly divided into control group (10-6 mol/L AngⅡ) and valsartan group (10^-6 mol/L AngⅡ+ valsartan). Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), fluorescence probe was employed to determine the ROS production, and CCK-8 was applied to evaluate the cell proliferation of macrophages. Results The expression of TNF-α, IP-10, IL-6 and MIP-2 mRNA in valsartan group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ROS production of macrophages could be inhibited by valsartan, especially by 10^-5 mol/L valsartan (P<0.05). Various concentrations of valsartan could decrease proliferation of macrophages in a dose-dependent manner  (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion The inflammation suppression roles of valsartan may be related with its effects on expression of inflammatory factors, ROS production and proliferation of macrophages.

Key words: valsartan, inflammatory factor, reactive oxygen species, cell proliferation