The preliminary study of rat aortic valve interstitial cells calcification induced by high glucose

Objective The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of high glucose on the calcification of aortic valve interstitial cell and the related mechanism. Methods Cell culture, IF staining, von-kossa assay, Western blotting and real-time PCR were adopted to evaluate the effect of high glucose on the aortic valve interstitial cells(AVICs) calcification and the related mechanism. Results High glucose induced the calcification of AVICs, by improving alkaline phosphatase(ALP) expression and increasing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), BMP4 synthesis and calcific nodules numbers in AVICs. The number of calcific nodules in control group (0.30±0.05) was significantly less than in 7 d group (1.10±0.12) and 14 d group (2.70±0.30). However, under equal time conditions, low glucose cannot promote calcific nodules formation. Conclusions High glucose induced the calcification of AVICs via increasing the expression of the related ossification factor. Key words: Diabetes mellitus; Heart valves; Calcification; High glucose