AIM: To observe the effects of amlodipine on matrix metalloproteinase 2, 9 (MMP 2, MMP 9) mRNA expression and secretion
in mouse
macrophages, and explore the fuction of amlodipine to prevent atherosclerotic plaques stably from rupture. METHODS: The mouse macrophages with different concentrations of amlodipine were cultured, then the mRNA of the cells were extracted. MMP 2, 9 mRNA expression was determined by RT PCR; the cell culture supernatants of mouse macrophages were examed by gelatin zymography to see if amlodipine could affect the secretion of MMP 2, MMP 9. RESULTS: Low
concentration of amlodipine (5 μg·L -1 ) affected the expression and secretion of MMP 2, 9 lightly ( P >0.05);middle concentration of amlodipine(15 μg·L -1 )inhibited MMP 2, 9 mRNA expression completely, also depressed the secretion of MMP 9 obviously( P <0.05), but it had little affection on the secretion of MMP 2. High concentration of amlodipine (30 μg·L -1 ) also inhibited MMP 2, 9 mRNA expression completely, but its affection on the secrete of MMP 2, MMP 9 could not be defined due to rapture of the cells. CONCLUSION: Middle concentration of amlodipine may make atherosclerotic plaque stable and prevent them from rupture.