Abstract: Objective To explore effects of beraprost sodium (BPS) on the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) in rat
mesangial cells cultured in the presence of high glucose and the possible mechanism. Methods Rat mesangial cells were
cultured in the presence of high glucose with or without BPS for 24 or 48 h. The levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1),
fibronectin (FN) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) protein in the culture supernatants were measured by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and photoshop-Smad3 was detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the
cells in normal glucose, the cells cultured in the presence of high glucose for 24 and 48 h showed significantly increased TGFβ1
and FN protein expression and lowered MMP-2 protein expression (P<0.01). Compared with the cells cultured in high glucose,
BPS exposure at the concentration of 1, 2, and 5 μmol/L for 24 and 48 h significantly lowered TGFβ1 protein expression (P<
0.01), and at 2 and 5 μmol/L, BPS significantly decreased FN protein expression and increased MMP-2 protein expression in
high glucose-induced cells (P<0.05). High glucose exposure also significantly increased the expression phosphorylated Smad3
(P<0.01), which was lowered by BPS treatment at 2 and 5 μmol/L (P<0.01). Conclusion BPS can regulate ECM metabolism in
rat mesangial cells cultured in high glucose by inhibiting TGFβ1/Smad3 pathway, suggesting the beneficial effects of BPS in
preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy.