Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of serum from crush injury rats on vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and their potential mechanism. Methods Bovine aorta endothelial cells were cultured in vitro and the effects of serum from crush injury rats on cell apoptosis and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were observed. Meanwhile, the levels of rat blood plasma endothelin-1(ET-1) and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) were measured. Results Compared with normal rat serum treatment, the cell apoptosis rate decreased from (8.26±1.75)% to (2.75±0.90)%, while the concentration of [Ca2+]i increased from (96.98±3.95) to (118.79±3.22) nmol/L in serum from crush injury rats, respectively. The concentration of ET-1 and ANP increased significantly in crush injury rat serum. Conclusion Serum from crush injury rats could inhibit apoptosis of the vascular endothelial cells. These effects may be related to increased level of [Ca2+]i mediated by ET-1 and ANP.

Key words: crush, injury, vascular endothelial cell, apoptosis