Abstract:

Objective To investigate the expression and activity of AMPK in high glucose-induced proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells（GMCs）.
 Methods GMCs were incubated in four groups for 24 hours: the control group(glucose 5.6mmol/L), the high glucose group（glucose 22.0mmol/L）， the low AICAR group（0.5mmol/L AICAR＋22.0mmol/L glucose）， and the high AICAR group（1.0mmol/L AICAR＋22.0mmol/L glucose）. The proliferation of GMCs was determined by MTT and the cell cycle of GMCs by flow cytometry; AMPKα1 and α2 mRNA levels were observed by RT-PCR;and protein levels of AMPKα and P-AMPKα were determined by Western blot.  Results Compared with the control group, high glucose induced proliferation and DNA synthesis of GMCs with impaired AMPKα1and α2 mRNA levels and impaired protein levels of AMPKα and P- AMPKα; AICAR(activator of AMPK) suppressed high glucose-induced cell proliferation and DNA synthesis while enhancing the AMPKα1 and α2mRNA and protein levels of AMPKα and P-AMPKα.  Conclusion  High glucose can induce proliferation and DNA synthesis of GMCs, which may correlate with impaired AMPKα1 and α2 mRNA levels and impaired protein levels of AMPKα and P-AMPKα.

Key words: AMPK； High glucose; Glomerular mesangial cells; AICAR; Proliferation