ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To determine the effect of agmatine on the proliferation of PASMCs induced by serum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary culture of rat PASMCs was prepared from adult male Wistar rat pulmonary artery by the method of tissue block anchorage. PASMCs were divided into two groups: control group and agmatine administration group. The activity of LDH in the medium was measured by chromatometry. The 3H-TdR incorporation was measured by liquid scintillometry. The cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. The PCNA content was measured by image analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Agmatine did not exert significant effect on the activity of LDH in the medium. Agmatine significantly decreased the 3H-TdR incorporation and PCNA content of PASMCs. Agmatine significantly decreased the cell ratio of G2/M phase and increased the cell ratio of G0/G1 phase. With the increment of the concentration of agmatine, 3H-TdR incorporation was significantly decreased correspondingly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Agmatine has no significant cytotoxic effect on PASMCs. Agmatine can dose-dependently inhibit the proliferation of rat PASMCs induced by serum.</p>