Study on the Effects of Advanced Glycosylation End Products on Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Cultured Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

Objective: To study the effects of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs) on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods: VSMCs were cultured by tissue explants adherent method. AGE-BSA incubated by 50 mmol/L glucose was diluted into different concentrations and intervened for 24 h and AGE-BSA with 200 mg/L concentration was intervened for 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h. MMP-2 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR and MMP-2 enzyme activity was observed by SDS-PAGE. Results: Expression of MMP-2 mRNA increased along with AGE-BSA concentration increasing (Р 0.01). Expression of MMP-2 mRNA increased at 4 h after intervention of 200 mg/L AGE-BSA, reached a peak at 24 h and kept rather high level after that. There was significant difference between intervention and non-intervention (Р 0.01). Gelatinase activity of MMP-2 increased along with AGE-BSA concentration increasing (Р 0.05). Conclusion: Expression of MMP-2 of VSMCs can be promoted by AGEs.