EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID ENHANCES MYOINOSITOL UPTAKE LN CULTURED HUMAN AORTIC SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS

The effects of elevated glucose and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5) on myoinositol uptake in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) were evaluated. Myo-inositol incorporation into HASMC was dependent on an active transport system via Na+-K+ ATPase activity based on the result s with Na+ deprivation and Ouabain (5 mM). Although glucose (27.5, 55 mM) inhibited 2-[H-3] myo-inositol uptake, the addition of EPA (3x10(4 ) M) prevented glucose-mediated inhibition. In addition EPA potentiate d Na+-K+ ATPase activity of HASMC. Since EPA decrease glucose-mediated inhibition of myo-inositol uptake, this agent might ameliorate aortic smooth muscle cell function associated with diabetes.