3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone inhibits hypoxia-associated human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation by reducing [Ca.sup.2+] influx

The present study aimed to assess the effects of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) on human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs). HPASMCs were divided into the normoxia group (NG), hypoxia group (HG), and hypoxia and 0.6*[l0.sup.-4] mol/L (HD1), 1.9*[l0.sup.-4] mol/L (HD2) and 6.0*[l0.sup.-4] mol/L (HD3) DHAP treatment groups. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow-cytometrically. HPASMC growth was examined by the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and MTT assays. Intracellular [Ca.sup.2+] ([[[Ca.sup.2+]].sub.i]) was measured by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Compared with the NG, the HG showed significantly increased HPASMC proliferation (P