<正>Objective: To evaluate cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） expression induced by insulin in cultured rat vascular muscle smooth cells （VSMCs）. Methods: The rat VSMCs were isolated and cultured in 60 mm plates

pre-treated with insulin 10

100

500

1 000 mU/L for 6 h

and 100 mU/L for 3

6

12

and 24 h

respectively. RT-PCR was performed to measure COX-2 mRNA induction

and Western-blot was used to measure protein expression. In regard to the COX-2 enzyme activity

after stimulation for a specified duration

the culture medium was collected; Prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） released by VSMCs was measured with an EIA kit. Results: Three hours after insulin （100 mU/L） stimulation

the induction of COX-2 mRNA was detectable and increased with the time and dosage of insulin. Insulin induced COX-2 protein expression occurred in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In rat VSMCs

COX-2 induced by insulin resulted in PGE2 production

which was increased with insulin action. Conclusion: Insulin could induce COX-2 expression and PGE2