目的探讨皮质抑素(cortistatin,CST)对大鼠主动脉钙化的影响及其可能的分子机制。方法利用维生素D3联合尼古丁(VDN)所致的大鼠动脉钙化模型,分别采用孔雀绿直接显色法、邻甲酚酞络合酮比色法和von Kossa染色法测定大鼠血浆磷、钙水平和主动脉组织的钙含量和钙沉积,应用RT-PCR方法检测主动脉组织钙化相关基因mRNA表达。结果与对照组相比较,VDN使大鼠主动脉的钙含量增加70.2%(P<0.05),引起弹力纤维紊乱、中断,von Kossa染色阳性的棕黑色颗粒明显增多。VDN+CST组与单独VDN组相比较,持续皮下泵入CST使主动脉的钙含量减少45.6%(P<0.05),弹力纤维紊乱中断减轻和棕黑色颗粒明显减少。而血钙、磷及钙磷乘积在各组间无显著性差异。RT-PCR结果证实VDN组主动脉组织的BMP-2 mRNA和Pit-1 mRNA表达分别增加53.2%(P<0.05)和34.0%(P<0.01),而MGP mRNA表达减少27.0%(P<0.05)。持续皮下泵入CST使主动脉组织BMP-2mRNA和Pit-1 mRNA表达较单独VDN组分别下降38.3%(P<0.01)和17.4%(P<0.05),而MGP mRNA表达增加34.9%(P<0.01)。主动脉组织OPG mRNA表达在各组间均无显著性差异。结论 CST能够减轻VDN所致的大鼠动脉钙化,可能与其纠正促抑钙化相关基因表达失衡有关,从而为CST防治动脉钙化提供实验依据。 Objective To investigate the effect of cortistatin (CST) on aortic calcification in rats and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods The rat model of arterial calcification induced by vitamin D3 and nicotine (VDN) was established. The contents of phosphorus and calcium in plasma were determined by direct colorimetric assay of malachite green, the colorimetric method of o-cresolphthalein complex and the von Kossa staining Aortic tissue calcium content and calcium deposition, the application of RT-PCR detection of aortic tissue calcification-related gene mRNA expression. Results Compared with the control group, VDN increased the content of calcium in the aorta of rats by 70.2% (P <0.05), which caused the disturbance of elastic fibers and the interruption of von Kossa staining. Compared with VDN group, continuous subcutaneous injection of CST resulted in a 45.6% (P <0.05) reduction in calcium content in the aorta, a reduction in disruption of the elastic fibers and a significant decrease in brown-black granules. The calcium, phosphorus and calcium phosphorus product in each group no significant difference. The results of RT-PCR confirmed that the expressions of BMP-2 mRNA and Pit-1 mRNA in aorta of VDN group were increased by 53.2% (P <0.05) and 34.0% (P <0.01) ). Continuous subcutaneous injection of CST decreased the expression of BMP-2 mRNA and Pit-1 mRNA by 38.3% (P <0.01) and 17.4% (P <0.05), respectively, compared with VDN alone group, while MGP mRNA expression increased by 34.9% (P < 0.01). Aortic tissue OPG mRNA expression in all groups showed no significant difference. Conclusion CST can reduce the arterial calcification induced by VDN, which may be related to the imbalance of the expression of genes related to the promotion of calcification. Therefore, CST can provide experimental evidence for prevention and treatment of arterial calcification.