Effects of apelin on proliferation and apoptosis in rat ovarian granulosa cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of apelin on proliferation and apoptosis in rat ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary culture of SD rat ovarian GCs was cultured with different concentrations of apelin 10(-8) mol/L, and APJ expression in GCs was inhibited by small RNA interfering (siRNA). Signaling inhibitor LY294002 of PI3K/Akt, HIMO intervention, MTT assay and flow cytometry were combined to observe the cell proliferation and apoptosis; Western blot was used to detect signaling protein expression related with cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the differences on cell proliferation rate detected by MTT assay in APJ-siRNA group, LY294002 group, and HIMO group had statistical significance (p < 0.05). Protein expressions of Bad, Bax, and Foxo3a in GCs in APJ-siRNA group, LY294002 group, and HIMO group were apparently upregulated (p < 0.05), and the protein expression of Bcl-2 in APJ-siRNA group, LY294002 group, and HIMO group was obviously downregulated (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Apelin can promote proliferation of GCs and inhibit apoptosis via PI3/Akt signaling pathway.