Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (2010) 31: 289–296; doi: 10.1038/aps.2009.206; published online 15 February 2010

¹Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China;  ²Institute of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; ³Department of Ultrasonic Diagnostics, the Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China; ⁴The School of Nursing of Central South University, Changsha 410013, China

Aim: To investigate the synergistic action of L-carnitine (LC) and taurine (TAU) on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods: DNA and protein synthesis of VSMCs were assessed using scintillation counting.  Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content were determined to investigate the effects of LC and TAU on the osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of VSMCs.  TAU uptake by VSMCs was assayed.  RNA interference was used to down-regulate the expression of the TAU transporter (TAUT) in rat VSMCs.

Results: LC and TAU synergistically inhibited the proliferation and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-induced osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs as evidenced by the decreased [³H]thymidine incorporation, ALP activity and calcium deposition.  Furthermore, LC stimulated the TAU uptake and TAUT expression in VSMCs.  Suppression of TAUT with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) abolished the synergistic action of LC and TAU in VSMCs.

Conclusion: The synergistic inhibitory action of LC and TAU on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs is attributable to the up-regulation of TAUT expression and TAU uptake by LC.

Keywords: L-carnitine; taurine; vascular smooth muscle cells; proliferation; osteoblastic differentiation