HYPOGLYCEMIA STIMULATES THROMBIN-INDUCED PGI(2) PRODUCTION BY CULTURED HUMAN UMBILICAL VEIN ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

The effect of a low concentration of glucose on prostacyclin (PGI(2)) production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells in culture (HUVEC ) was examined. When HUVEC were cultured for 24 h in a medium containi ng various concentrations of glucose (0.26, 0.63, or 1.29 mg/ml), thro mbin-induced PGI(2), production was increased in the cells exposed to low concentrations of glucose; the increase was inversely proportional to the glucose concentration and was seen at all concentrations of th rombin tested. Thus, hypoglycemia may increase the production of PGI(2 ) by endothelial cells in vivo, leading to a compensatory vasodilation with an increase in blood flow to increase the delivery of glucose.