Astragalus polysaccharides attenuate rat aortic endothelial senescence via regulation of the SIRT-1/p53 signaling pathway

Background Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) have been verified to have antioxidative and antiaging activities in the mouse liver and brain. However, the effect of APS on aortic endothelial senescence in old rats and its underlying mechanism are currently unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of APS on rat aortic endothelial oxidative stress and senescence in vitro and in vivo and investigate the potential molecular targets. Methods Twenty-month-old natural aging male rats were treated with APS (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg daily) for 3 months. Serum parameters were tested using corresponding assay kits. Aortic morphology was observed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Verhoeff Van Gieson (VVG). Aging-related protein levels were evaluated using immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Primary rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were isolated by tissue explant method. RAEC mitochondrial function was evaluated by the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measured with the fluorescent lipophilic cationic dye JC‑1. Intracellular total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was detected by a commercial kit. Cellular senescence was assessed using senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining. Results Treatment of APS for three months was found to lessen aortic wall thickness, renovate vascular elastic tissue, improve vascular endothelial function, and reduce oxidative stress levels in 20-month-old rats. Primary mechanism analysis showed that APS treatment enhanced Sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1) protein expression and decreased the levels of the aging marker proteins p53, p21 and p16 in rat aortic tissue. Furthermore, APS abated hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-induced cell senescence and restored H 2 O 2 -induced impairment of the MMP and T-AOC in RAECs. Similarly, APS increased SIRT-1 and decreased p53, p21 and p16 protein levels in senescent RAECs isolated from old rats. Knockdown of SIRT-1 diminished the protective effect of APS against H 2 O 2 -induced RAEC senescence and T-AOC loss, increased the levels of the downstream proteins p53 and p21, and abolished the inhibitory effect of APS on the expression of these proteins in RAECs. Conclusion APS may reduce rat aortic endothelial oxidative stress and senescence via the SIRT-1/p53 signaling pathway.