Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of puerarin on the expression of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Methods After HUVECs were incubated with different concentrations of puerarin and 50 mg/L ox - LDL, the expression of TF and TFPI mRNA and protein were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blot respectively. Results Compared with control, treatment with ox-LDL caused the augment of TF mRNA and protein expression (P<0.01), and the decrease of TFPI mRNA and protein expression. However, 50, 100, and 200 ?mol/L puerarin blunted the augment of TF mRNA and protein expression and weakened the inhibition of TFPI mRNA and protein expression induced by ox-LDL(P<0.01). Conclusion Puerarin reduced HUVECs TF and TFPI mRNA and protein induced by ox-LDL.

Key words: puerarin, oxidative low-density lipoprotein, tissue factor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, vascular endothelial cells