Insulin enhances angiotensin II induced DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells of the rat.
Hypertension has a high prevalence among subjects with decreased insulin sensitivity and/or hyperinsulinemia. Furthermore, angiotensin II plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vascular tone and is known to induce hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia in vascular smooth muscle cells. In the present study, the effect of insulin on angiotensin II induced smooth muscle cell growth (Wistar-Kyoto rat) was investigated. Cell growth was assessed by the measurement of [3H]thymidine incorporation into cell DNA. Insulin in a concentration range of 1.7 x 10(-10)-1.7 x 10(-6) M lacked any effect on cell DNA synthesis. However, insulin enhanced the angiotensin II induced DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was similar in cells with a weak and in cells with a marked response in DNA synthesis to stimulation with 100 nM angiotensin II. In conclusion, insulin is able to enhance angiotensin II induced DNA synthesis and may therefore function as a growth cofactor in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Medizinische Universitäts-Poliklinik, Bonn.
Y
Y
Ko
A
A
Sachinidis
A J
AJ
Wieczorek
M
M
Appenheimer
R
R
Düsing
H
H
Vetter
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY
D007328:Insulin; D000804:Angiotensin II; D004247:DNA