Research Article

Hirudin Regulates Vascular Function in Chronic Renal Failure through Modulating Macrophage Polarization

Figure 4

Hiru serves as a suppressor in macrophage towards M1 activation and VSMC apoptosis while functions as a promoter in VSMC proliferation. VSMCs were treated with additional 5 U/ml, 10 U/ml, and 20 U/ml concentrations of Hiru after they were cocultured with conditioned medium from M1-polarized macrophages. (a) CCK-8 assay was to evaluate cell viability. ELISA assay was to measure the contents of (b) TNF-α, (c) IL-6, and (d) IL-10. (e) Western blot was to analyze the protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-3, MMP2, iNOS, and α-SMA. and vs. control. #, ##, and ### vs. M1 medium.
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