Objective:To examine the effects of glucose on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2(MMP-2)and the changes of ultramicrostructure

cell cycle in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.Methods:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(hUVEC)were incubated in a culture medium with 11.2mmol/L

16.8mmol/L and 33.6mmol/L glucose concentrations for 24h

48h

72h respectively.The expression of MMP-2 was measured by RT-PCR and Western-blot.Results:When D-glucose concentrations rose

hUVEC exposed to high glucose concentration(11.2mmol/L

16.8mmol/L and 33.6mmol/L)increased in cell expression of MMP-2 after 48 h and 72 h of exposure

as compared with those cultured in medium with a low glucose concentration(5.6mmol/L).And cell cycle changed too.Conclusion:High concentration of glucose can arrest the proliferative response and show that even a short-term exposure of endothelial cells(ECs)to high glucose concentration leads to their activation associated with increased expression of MMP-2 and that this effect may appear more significantly along with time of exposure to high concentration of glucose.