Abstract: To explore the inhibitory effects of catechin on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)and its possible mechanisms. METHODS: After VSMCs were exposed to different doses of catechin at 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 μg/ml, for 24 h and 48 h cell morphology was observed. MTT assay was used to test cell viability, mRNA expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were detected by RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Cell growth was inhibited after exposure to 250 μg/ml, and mRNA expression MMP-2 was down-regulated. Meanwhile mRNA expression of TIMP-1 was up-regulated. CONCLUSION: Catechin could inhibit VSMCs and regulate mRNA expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1.

Key words: catechin, vascular smooth muscle cells, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1