Redox state and gender differences in vascular smooth muscle cells

Abstract 

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) have been isolated from male and female rat aorta and studied to assess their susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation-induced oxidative stress. Interestingly, a gender difference, in terms of reactive oxygen species production, was detected in both basal and irradiated VSMC. Namely, VSMC from male rats were more susceptible to radiation-induced stress and easier underwent apoptosis in comparison to cells from female rats. Conversely, the latter, in the same experimental conditions, clearly displayed signs of premature senescence. These results indicate that a sort of “gender memory” can be conserved in VMSC in primary culture.

Abbreviations: BSO, l-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine, DHE, dhydroethidium, DHR123, dihydrorhodamine 123, MBC, monochlorobimane, IVM, intensified charge-coupled device video microscopy, ROS, reactive oxygen species, SE, standard error, SOD, superoxide dismutase, UVB, ultraviolet B, VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cells

Keywords: Reactive oxygen species, Vascular smooth muscle cells, Gender, Senescence, Apoptosis