Objective: To study the effect of different subtypes of macrophages on the apoptosis of endothelial cells and the interventing effect of Tongxinluo (TXL). Method: THP-1 cells were taken as the study object. Cells were divided into five groups: control group

phorbol myristate acetate(PMA) group

M2 group

M1 group and TXL group. THP-1 cells were respectively induced by PMA (5 μg·L-1) combined with interleukin(IL) -4 (100 μg·L-1) or lipopolysaccharide(LPS) (200 μg·L-1) to M2 and M1 type polarized macrophages

and treated by TXL with 300 mg·L-1. The expressions of marker molecules IL-10

tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The culture supernatant was taken as conditioned medium to culture endothelial cells

and the apoptosis rate and the expression of apoptosis related proteins were detected by flow cytometry and Western blot

respectively. Result: Compared with control group

the level of IL-10 increased in M2 group (P<0.01)

and the level of IL-10 decreased

and IL-6

TNF-α increased in M1 group (P<0.01). Compared with M1 group

the level of IL-10 increased

and IL-6

TNF-α decreased in TXL group (P<0.01). Compared with M2 group

the apoptosis rate and the expressiona of Caspase-3

Bax increased (P<0.05

P<0.01)

the expression of Bcl-2 decreased in M1 group (P<0.01). And compared with M1 group

the apoptosis rate and the expressiona of Caspase-3

Bax decreased (P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the expression of Bcl-2 increased in TXL group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The polarization of macrophages to M1 type can be inhibited by TXL. The supernatant of M2 macrophages has not a significant effect on the apoptosis of endothelial cells. The apoptosis of endothelial cells increases in the cultured supernatant of M1 macrophages

and TXL can reduce the apoptosis of endothelial cells.