Effect of insulin on growth of cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells

Summary The effect of insulin (10–10000 mU/l) on the proliferation of cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells was studied. Smooth muscle cells were cultivated by explantation. Cells from the third to the fifth subculture were used. Proliferation was studied by growth curve experiments. Insulin stimulated cell proliferation in all concentrations (p <0.001). Growth was however stimulated more by a medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. The highest concentration of insulin produced only 35% of the effect of 10% fetal calf serum. Our results support the hypothesis that insulin may play a role in atherosclerosis.