Functional Changes in Cultured Endothelial Cells Induced by High Ambient D-Glucose and Glycated Type IV Collagen

Abstract

Functional aberrations in vascular endothelium induced by high ambient-glucose states are presumed to be the initial step in longstanding angiopathy in patiens with diabetes mellitus. In this in vitro study using cultured endothelial cells we examined the activities of cells exposed to high ambient D-glucose and glycated type IV collagen. Concentrations of D-glucose over 20 mM and 40 mM in culture medium evoked initial enhancement of cell growth and c-AMP synthesis, followed by impairment after 4 days of incubation. Synthesis of PGI2, on the other hand, was suppressed after 2 days of incubation. The overlaid effects of glycated type IV collagen on cultured endothelial cells were observed as the early suppression of PGI2 synthesis and impairment of cell growth after 24hrs of incubation. However, the addition of aminoguanidine with high ambient D-glucose during the formation of glycated collagen significantly prevented the functional impairment of endothelial cells induced by the addition of glycated collagen. It is concluded that the function of endothelial cells is influenced not only by high ambient D -glucose but by glycation of type IV collagen. © 1992, THE JAPAN DIABETES SOCIETY. All rights reserved.