Carvedilol Inhibits Expressions of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, Monocyte Chemoattractant-1, and Interleukin-8 via NF-kappaB Inhibition in Human Endothelial Cells

Background and Objectives：Carvedilol is an anti-oxidative, the cardioprotective effects of which are mediated by the inhibition of NF-κB activation. The present study was designed to examine the effects of carvedilol, an α1- and β-blocker, on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Materials and Methods：HUVEC were treated with TNF-α (10 ng/mL) in either the absence or presence of carvedilol. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined using a fluorescent dye DCFH-DA, with the adhesion of U-937 monocyte to the HUVEC. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation was determined by NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus using Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. The expressions of NF-κB dependent pro-inflammatory molecules, i.e., vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and interleukin (IL)-8, were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. Bcl-2 and phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) were measured using Western blotting. Results：TNF-α treatment increased the activation of NFκB, suppressed Bcl-2, and increased the phosphorylation of JNK, the ROS level and the adhesion of U-937. The levels of mRNA and protein expressions of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1 and IL-8 were up-regulated by TNFα. Carvedilol inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK, ROS formation and the adhesion of U-937 monocyte. In addition, carvedilol reduced the production of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, MCP-1 and IL-8 at the mRNA and protein levels, via the suppression of NF-B activation. Conclusion：These results suggested that the anti-inflammatory effects of carvedilol on TNF-α stimulated endothelial cells could be explained by its ROS-scavenging and NF-κ B inactivation properties. (Korean Circulation J 2005;35:576-582)