To simulate diabetic conditions, the effects of high glucose
concentration on collagen synthesis and cholesterol
level in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells of Psammomys
were investigated. For collagen biosynthesis, smooth muscle
cells (SMCs) were incubated in synthetic proliferative
phase and in postconfluent phase with H3-proline. Cellular
cholesterol was determined by enzymatic method. Under
high glucose concentration, the results showed morphological
modifications characterized by morphometric cellular,
nuclear, and nucleolar changes. In biochemical studies, the
authors observed an increase of free and esterified cellular
cholesterol as well as of total proteins, collagen biosynthesis,
and α1 (I+III) and α2 (I) chains of collagen contained
in the SMCs and in the extracellular matrix. These results
showed the sensitivity of Psammomys aortic SMCs to high
glucose concentration and would constitute an interesting
cellular model to study atherosclerosis pathogeny in experimental
diabetes.
