Chinese yellow wine inhibits production of matrixmetalloproteinase-2 induced by homocysteine in rat vascular endothelial cells

Objective: To investigate the effects of Chinese yellow wine on the synthesis of homocysteine (Hcy)-induced intracellular MMP-2 in rat vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Methods: Isolation, cultivation, purification and identification of vascular endothelial cells of rat thoracic aorta in vitro were conducted. The VECs in passages 3 to 4 were used in all studies. HCY was used to induce VECs to over-express MMP-2. Cells were divided into 5 groups: Control, Hcy, Hcy + yellow wine, Hcy + red wine, and Hcy + ethanol. The cells were treated differently for 48 h. The mRNA expression of MMP-2 was detected by FQ-PCR. Western blot and gelatin zymography were used to test the protein levels and enzymatic activity of MMP-2. Results: Compared with the control group, Hcy significantly increased the expression and activity of MMP-2 to a maximum at 500 μmol/L after culturing for 48 h. Compared with those in the Hcy group, the expression and activity of MMP-2 in yellow and red wine groups was significantly decreased. No significant difference was observed between the ethanol and the Hcy groups and no significant discrepancy between the yellow and red wine groups was found. Conclusion: Hcy promotes the expression and activity of MMP-2, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). Treatment with yellow or red wine decreases Hcy-induced MMP-2 production in VECs. Attenuation of MMP-2 activity by yellow and red wines might be cardio-protective.