Effects of advanced glycosylation end products on proliferation and cytosolic free calcium in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

AIM

To study the effects of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEP) on aortic smooth muscle cell (ASMC) proliferation and its relationship with cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i).

METHODS

The effects of AGEP modified bovine serum albumin (AGEP-BSA) on the incorporation of [3H]TdR and [3H]Leu into cultured ASMC were observed. The [Ca2+]i of cultured ASMC was determined with Fura 2-AM.

RESULTS

AGEP-BSA stimulated the incorporation of [3H]TdR and [3H]Leu into ASMC in concentration and time-dependent manners (P < 0.01), especially [3H]TdR. In AGEP 200 mg.L-1 group, after 12-h exposure, the incorporation of [3H]TdR obviously increased, but DNA synthesis was concentration-dependently decreased in AGEP 300-400 mg.L-1 groups. The peak incorporation of [3H]TdR was 10 times vs control (P < 0.01). The [Ca2+]i of ASMC incubated with AGEP-BSA for 40 min was increased from control groups 121 +/- 4 to 492 +/- 20 nmol.L-1 (P < 0.01). [Ca2+]i induced by AGEP was elevated with the concentration and incubating time of glucose with BSA. [Ca2+]i in BSA incubated with glucose 80 mmol.L-1 for 12 wk was 580 +/- 37 nmol.L-1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

AGEP stimulated proliferation of ASMC associated with the elevation of [Ca2+]i.