PURPOSE: Circulating microparticles have been highlighted as biomarkers of
cardiovascular disease state and progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin
on microparticle release from endothelial cells undergoing TNF-induced cell activation and apoptosis.
METHODS: This study evaluated the effects of curcumin on microparticle release, cytotoxicity, apoptosis,
cell adhesion molecule expression and monocyte adhesion in EAhy926 human endothelial cells
RESULTS: The results showed that the numbers of microparticles were increased by tumour necrosis factor (TNF) or the combination of TNF and cycloheximide (CHX). Curcumin attenuated microparticle release caused by TNF or TNF plus CHX treatments. The pretreatment by curcumin not only negated the accelerated cell death
and apoptosis caused by TNF and CHX, but also diminished TNF-induced cell activation, as assessed by
reduced surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and adhesion of monocytes to endothelial
monolayers
CONCLUSION: Curcumin reduced microparticle release from endothelial cells undergoing cell activation and apoptosis, which supports its protective role in TNF-associated endothelial dysfunction, and highlights its potential use as a nutraceutical agent for vascular inflammatory diseases