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.