Abstract: Objective：To investigate the protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPC) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injured by advanced　glycosylation　end　products (AGE) and its possible mechanism. Methods: AGEmodified bovine serum albumin (AGEBSA) was prepared by incubating the BSA with a high concentration of glucose. The cultured HUVECs were divided into six groups: the control group，the BSA group， the AGE group， the low dose GSPC +AGE group， the middle dose GSPC+AGE group， and the high dose GSPC+AGE group. The cell proliferation of HUVEC, the Von Willebrand factor (vWF) and nitric oxide (NO) were determined. Results: After treatment with AGE, the proliferation of HUVEC was significantly reduced. The proliferation rate was 90.53% in the control group, while the proliferations of cells pretreated with GSPC of different concentrations were 0.95fold, 1.12fold, and 1.23fold that of the control group. The vWF level in AGEtreated HUVEC was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Preincubation with GSPC of different concentrations could decrease the vWF level increased by AGE in a dosedependent manner. The NO content in the AGEtreated group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.01), while the AGEdecreased NO level was significantly increased in the GSPCpretreated groups. Conclusion: AGE can inhibit HUVEC proliferation, injure HUVEC and decreased the NO content. GSPC could protect HUVEC against damage induced by AGE and increase the NO level in the AGEexposed HUVEC. It is possible that the increased NO plays a key role in protecting the GSPC against damage induced by AGE.

Key words: Glycosylation　end　products, advanced, Endothelial　cells, Injuries, Nitric oxide, Grape seed proanthocyanidin