Effect of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and its combination on human umbilical vein endothelial cells permeability exposed to high concentration of glucose

Aim - To evaluate the effect of ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and its combination on the permeability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC'S) culture after high glucose concentration exposure. Material and Methods - The study was performed using HUVEC'S culture on transwell polyester filter. The ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and its combination (25-200 mu M) were concomitantly given with glucose 22 mu M to the culture media. After seven days of treatment, endothelial permeability was observed by measuring the concentration of trypan blue-labeled albumin in a luminal compartment with a spectrophotometer (lambda=592 nm). The morphology of the cells was observed under an inverted microscope. The data was analyzed using ANOVA test followed by Dunnet test (p<0.05). Results - HUVEC'S culture exposed to high concentration glucose increased endothelial permeability better than those which exposed to normal concentration (p<0.05). The treatment of ascorbic acid 200 mu M, alpha-tocopherol 100 mu M and 200 mu M were capable to inhibit the increase HUVEC'S permeability exposed to high concentration glucose better than control group (p<0.05). Moreover, two combinations of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol, respectively 50 and 100 mu M, could prevent the increased permeability of HUVEC'S culture better than control (p<0.05). Conclusion - Ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and its combination could inhibit the increase of endothelial permeability exposed to a high concentration of glucose.