We have investigated the effect of glucose on the release of endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity (ET-l-LI) from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. Elevation of glucose concentrations in cultured media from 5.5 to 11.1 or 22.2 mM significantly stimulated ET-1-LI release from cultured endothelial cells. An aldose reductase inhibitor did not affect the high glucose-induced ET-1-LI release, These findings suggest the possibility that hyperglycemia in diabetic patients enhances ET-1-LI release at the local site of vascular endothelium. which might be involved in the developments of vascular complications and atherosclerosis.
