Effect of constant magnetic field on matrix metalloproteinase of rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Aim: To investigate the effect of constant magnetic field at different intensities on matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression of rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) cultured in vitro, and observe if magnetic field can be used to treat the restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from December 2005 to August 2006. Purebred SD male rats of 200-250 g weight were adopted in this study, VSMCs were cultured in vitro with DMEM containing 0.1 volume fraction of calf serum. VSMCs were exposed for 48 hours under constant magnetic field of different intensities (1, 5, 10, 50 Gs). The expression of MMP-2 influenced by constant magnetic field was monitored by image analysis and absorbance scanning. Results: Compared with control group, the activity of MMP-2 was significantly inhibited in MMP-2 groups [(831.25:± 2.38)×10², (690.57:±2.57)×10², (574.35±1.98)×10², (401.05±.96)×10², (316.23±3.24)×10², P < 0.05], and the inhibition exhibited a dosé-dependent manner with the intensity of constant magnetic field. Conclusion: The expression of MMP-2 is significantly inhibited by constant magnetic field of appropriate intensity. Constant magnetic field has the possible preventive and curative effects for the restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.