Effect of N-Perfluorooctane on Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Background: This study investigated the effect of n-perfluorooctane (PFC) on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: In this study, the H/R models were prepared by chemical methods (using dithionite solution). The experimental groups included the control group, the PFC group with a culture volume ratio of 10%, the H/R model group, and treatment groups with various doses of PFC + H/R (i.e., 5%, 10%, or 20% PFC by volume). The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to assay cell viability. Colorimetric assays were used to estimate the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the medium, the levels of intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Western blot was used to analyze the expression of the apoptosis-related protein cystine aspartate proteolytic enzyme 3 (caspase-3). Results: Compared with the control group, every detected index of 10% PFC group had no statistical significance (p > 0.05). Compared with the model group, 10% and 20% PFC treatment groups could increase cell viability A, decrease the content of NO and reduce caspase-3 expression (p < 0.05); Every PFC treatment group could significantly reduce the release of LDH and the contents of MDA, and also increase the activities of SOD (p < 0.01). Conclusions: PFC has a significant protective effect on HUVEC H/R injury, which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation and further enhance cell antioxidant and anti-apoptotic characteristics.