Abstract
Vascular calcification associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is believed to involve the phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into osteoblast-like cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of nobiletin, a naturally occurring polymethoxylated flavonoid, on VSMCs under high-phosphate conditions. The expression of osteogenic markers, Runx2 and Osteocalcin, was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. In VSMCs treated with nobiletin, a trend toward decreased protein expression of both markers was observed. These findings suggest that nobiletin may influence molecular events related to the osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs. Although direct inhibition of calcification was not demonstrated, nobiletin appears to modulate associated molecular responses. Further studies are needed to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of action and to explore its potential as a functional food component for preventing vascular calcification in CKD.
