Effects of low density lipoproteins, staphylolysin, glucocorticoid, d-penicillamine, and the combined application of glucocorticoid and staphylolysin on the proliferative activity of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells of the minipig

The effects of low density lipoproteins (LDL), staphylolysin, glucocorticoid, d-penicillamine, and combined application of staphylolysin and glucocorticoid on proliferation of smooth muscle cells were examined by adding them to cultures of smooth muscle cells made from thoracic aortas of 3- to 6-month-old minipigs. LDL (0.03 μl/ml of medium) and staphylolysin (0.03 U/ml of medium) caused a significant acceleration of proliferation rates of the smooth muscle cells. Cell degeneration occurred when large doses of LDL and staphylolysin were applied. Glucocorticoid (0.18 mg/ml of medium) and d-penicillamine (0.36 mg/ml of medium) inhibited cell proliferation. The proliferation stimulating effect of staphylolysin was suppressed by glucocorticoid.