Endothelial cells form two extensive tubular networks, the blood vasculature and the lymphatic vasculature. The endothelium provides a semi-permeable barrier between the vessel wall and blood, which controls the transfer of small and large molecules and regulates exchanges between the bloodstream and the surrounding tissues. Endothelial cells are dynamic and are capable of conducting a variety of metabolic and synthetic functions and their structure and functional integrity are important in the maintenance of the vessel wall and circulatory function [1,2]. Levamisole is an antihelministic drug that is also used for cancer therapy. This substance selectively induces apoptosis in cultured vascular endothelial cells, inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells in monoculture, and the differentiation and capillary network formation of endothelial cells in coculture with fibroblasts, therefore levamisole has anti-angiogenic properties [3].   

The aim of this study was to observe of influence of various concentration of levamisole on metabolic parameters of human microvascular endothelial cells. This effect of levamisole on cell behavior was detected by using specific MTS assay, Injury assay and Cell Proliferation BrdU assay. We observed a significant degrease of metabolic activity and proliferation of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) incubated with 1 mmol/L and 0.5 mmol/L levamisole in comparison with control group of HMVECs. Migration activity of HMVECs was inhibited by 0.5 mmol/L and 0.1 mmol/L levamisole.

Our observations showed on fact that levamisole influences the HMVECs metabolism and in the future this drug should be tested and used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. 

[1] Eilken H.M., Adams R.H. Dynamics of endothelial cell behavior in sprouting angiogenesis. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2010, 22(5), 617-25.
[2] Herbert S.P., Stainier D.Y. Molecular control of endothelial cell behaviour during blood vessel morphogenesis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2011, 12(9), 551-64.
[3] Friis T., Engel A.M., Klein B.M., Rygaard J., Houen G. Levamisole inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Angiogenesis. 2005, 8(1), 25-34.