J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2004 Dec;8(4):191-195.

The Expression of L-type Calcium Channel mRNA by the Concentrations of Glucose on the Cell Proliferation in Cultured OLETF Rat Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

• Yoo HJ
• Cho YJ
• Nam HW

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) is a part of the major pathogenic mechanism for atheroscle- rosis. It has been reported that L-type calcium channel plays a role in the VSMC proliferation in diabetic rats. But there is a little study results about the association between L-type calcium channel and VSMC proliferation by glucose concentrations in culture media. So we examined the association between voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel of VSMCs and the proliferative activity of vascular smooth muscle cells.
METHODS
Rat aortic VSMCs were isolated from the aorta of OLETF rat by enzyme method. VSMCs were cultured in various concentrations of glucose(5.5, 25 mM). The VSMCs(1x104 cells in 24-well plates) were incubated in the presence of Bay K 8644 (10-6M) with/without verapamil(10-6M) for 48 hours. Then the proliferation was assessed by MTT(methylthiazole tetrazolium) assay and expression of L-type calcium channel mRNA was measured by RT-PCR.
RESULTS
The proliferative ability and the expression of L-type calcium channel of cultured VSMCs were increased dose-dependently by the glucose concentrations(p<0.05). Bay K 8644 enhanced the proliferation of VSMC and verapamil blocked the incremental effects induced by Bay K 8644.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that L-type calcium channel may play a role in VSMC proliferation of OLETF rat.

MeSH Terms

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester
Animals
Aorta
Calcium Channels, L-Type*
Cell Proliferation*
Culture Media
Glucose*
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular*
Rats
Rats, Inbred OLETF*
RNA, Messenger*
Verapamil
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester
Calcium Channels, L-Type
Culture Media
Glucose
RNA, Messenger
Verapamil