Abstract: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of lycopene on migratory,adhesive,tube formation capacity and the activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) of endothelial progenitor ceils(EPCs) with high concentration of glucose and to explore the protection mechanism of EPCs of human peripheral blood by lycopene.Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from endothelial progenitor cells of human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, cultured and identified.The third generation of EPCs was incubated with high concentration glucose (33 mmol/L) and with lycopene plus high glucose.EPCs migration was assessed with MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay.EPCs adhesion assay was performed by replating those on fibronectincoated dishes,and then adherent cells were counted.Tube formation activity was assayed by matrigel network formation assay.Western blot assay was used to analyze phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) protein expression.The results showed high concentration glucose attenuated migratory,adhesive,capacity of EPCs and increased phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase.Lycopene improved function of EPCs to high concentration glucose through inhibiting p38 MAP kinase pathway,which was one of mechanisms responsible for protecting EPCs.

Key words: Lycopene, high concentration of glucose, endothelial progenitor cells, p38 MAPK