Objective: To study the role of extra cellular regulated protein kinasses(ERK1/2) pathway in tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)secreted in human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC)induced by visfatin and the interventive effect of berberine. Method: HUVEC were cultured for the experiment

added concentration gradient group of visfatin(0

50

100

200 μg·L-1)and time gradient group of visfatin(0

6

12

24

48 h)in HUVEC

MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of HUVEC

the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in HUVEC supernatant were determined by ELISA assay

the expression of p-ERK1/2 in HUVEC lysate were determined by Western blotting. Berberine(50 μmol·L-1)and PD98059 (20 μmol·L-1)

the specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 pathway

were added into HUVEC to detected the interventive effect of berberine. Result: Compared with the control group

visfatin(100 μg·L-1)can significantly decrease the proliferation of HUVEC and increase the TNF-α and IL-6 contents in HUVEC supernatant. Meanwhile

it can increase p-ERK1/2 expression at 24 hours. Compared with the visfatin group

berberine and PD98059 could increase the proliferation of HUVEC and decrease the TNF-α and IL-6 contents in HUVEC supernatant

at the same time

it could restrain p-ERK1/2 expression in HUVEC. Conclusion: Berberine can decrease the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in HUVEC cultural supernatant and the injury induced by visfatin

the protective mechanism is related to the inhibition of ERK1/2 signal pathway activation.