A novel butyrolactone derivative inhibited apoptosis and depressed integrin β4 expression in vascular endothelial cells

To understand the effects of a novel butyrolactone derivative, 3-benzyl-5-((2-nitrophenoxy) methyl)-dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (3BDO), on the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells (VECs), we exposed 3BDO (20–60 μg/ml) to VECs deprived of serum and FGF-2 for 24 and 48 h, respectively. The results showed that 3BDO (20–60 μg/ml) increased VEC viability and inhibited VEC apoptosis induced by deprivation of serum and FGF-2 in a very weak dose-dependent manner. During this process, integrin β4 expression was depressed, but the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was not changed. The data suggested that 3BDO (20–60 μg/ml) could inhibit VEC apoptosis and suppress integrin β4 expression, but it could not depress the ROS level induced by deprivation of serum and FGF-2.