HIGH GLUCOSE INCREASES PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH-FACTOR PRODUCTION IN CULTURED HUMAN VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS AND PREVENTIVE EFFECTS OF EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACIDS

The regulation of the production of platelet-derived growth factor (PD GF) and the influence of high glucose concentration, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were studied in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial c ells (HUE). The PDGF production of HUE increased markedly depending on glucose concentration. However, EPA (3x10(-4)M) markedly inhibited PD GF production [27.5 mM glucose group: 123+/-3% of control (5.5 mM gluc ose group), 27.5 mM glucose + EPA group: 104+/-5% of control]. These r esults suggested that a high glucose concentration and a high osmotic pressure-induced increase in PDGF production is involved in the develo pment and progression of diabetic macroangiopathy. As eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits the PDGF production induced by high glucose concentrati on in HUE, use of this agent may exhibit anti-arteriosclerotic effects .