Abstract:Objective To discuss the effect of 3’, 5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in hypertensive rats and further demonstrate the molecular mechanism. Methods The hypertensive rat models were constructed and the vascular smooth muscle cells were extracted. MTT method was used to detect the effect of db-cAMP on the activity of vascular smooth muscle cells in the control group, the db-cAMP group and the Forskolin (cAMP activator) group. Western blot was used to detect the effect of db-cAMP with different concentrations on the levels of inhibitory protein α subunit 2 (Giα2) and inhibitory protein α subunit 3 (Giα3) and the phosphorylation levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein, ERK1/2 protein and c-Src protein of vascular smooth muscle cells in the normal and hypertensive rats. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of db-cAMP with different concentrations on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the normal and hypertensive rats. Results In the normal rats, the cell viability in the dbcAMP group and the Forskolin group was not significantly different from that in the control group (P > 0.05). In the hypertensive rats, the cell viability in the db-cAMP group and the Forskolin group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal rats without adding db-cAMP, the protein expression levels of Giα2 and Giα3, the generation of superoxide anion O2 -, the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ERK1/2 and c-Src proteins were significantly increased in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the hypertensive rats without adding dbcAMP (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal rats without adding db-cAMP, some of the above parameters in the vascular smooth muscle cells were statistically different in the normal rats adding 0.5 mmol/L db-cAMP (P < 0.05). Compared with the hypertensive rats without adding db-cAMP, the above parameters were reduced in the vascular smooth muscle cells of the hypertensive rats adding 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1 mmol/L db-cAMP (P < 0.05). Conclusions It is suggested that db-cAMP may inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in hypertensive rats by inhibiting the expression level of Giα protein, oxidative stress and downstream signaling pathway.