Pioglitazone can downregulate bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression induced by high glucose in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) plays a key role in both vascular development and pathophysiological processes. However, the effect of high glucose on BMP-2 expression remains unclear. Here we show in human umbilical vein endothelial cells that high glucose increased BMP-2 expression, associated with NF-kappaB activation, whereas pioglitazone suppressed BMP-2 expression and NF-kappaB65 activation induced by high glucose. Furthermore, the increase in MDA levels and decrease in activities of total superoxide dismutase of cell culture stimulated by high glucose were reversed by pioglitazone treatment. Our findings indicate that BMP-2 expression induced by high glucose might be closely related to NF-kappaB activation, and both effects can be suppressed by pioglitazone. (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel