Selective sodium-hydrogen exchanger inhibitor HOE 642 inhibited proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

To ascertain whether HOE 642 (4 isopropyl 3 methylsulphonylbenzoyl guanidine meth anesulphonate), a selective inhibitor of Na + H + exchanger (NHE 1), inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC). VSMCs isolated from aorta of rabbits were maintained in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). 15% FCS was used to stimulate cell proliferation in this study. VSMCs proliferation was assayed by cell counter andthymidine uptake. The results showed that HOE 642 inhibited 15% FCS stimulated proliferation of VSMCs. The inhibitory effects were characterized by dependency on dose, 20 μmol·L -1 HOE 642 achieved 60% inhibitory rate of smooth muscle cell proliferation.