Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of β-adrenergic receptor(β₂AR) stimulation on vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis in physiological state and receptor overexpression model.Methodsβ₂AR overexpression model was established by transgenic techniques. Hoechst 33342 staining as well as flow cytometer(FCM) detected were chosen to measure the incidence of vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis.ResultsVascular smooth muscle cell exhibited significantly fewer viable cell rate when stimulated with β₂AR agonist isoproteronol for 48 hours compared with control (P<0.01),while no difference at the time point of 24 hours. Much fewer viable rate detected by FCM and high apoptotic rate by Hoechst staining were observed when VSMCs overexpressing β₂AR were stimulated with isoproteronol for 24 hours (P<0.01).ConclusionStimulation of physiological and overexpressing β₂AR could induce apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cell.

Key words: β-adrenergic receptor, vascular smooth muscle cell, apoptosis