ABSTRACT
AIM: To observe effects of taurine on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). METHODS: The 3H-TdR incorporation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity were measured in cultured VSMC. TBA measured end product of lipid peroxidation-MDA. RESULTS: LPA enhanced the cultured VSMC 3H-TdR incorporation in a concentration dependent manner. LPA increased MAPK activity and MDA content. Taurine (Tau) and PD098059 inhibited the VSMC 3H-TdR incorporation and MAPK activity. Tau inhibited the VSMC MDA content stimulated by LPA, but PD098059 had no effect. CONCLUSION: LPA has a stimulating effect on VSMC proliferation. The LPA-induced intracellular signal transduction may be related to MAPK activity. The exogenous Tau can efficiently inhibit VSMC proliferation.