Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is a key event in the development of hypertension,
instant restenosis and other cardiac disorders. Inhibition of this proliferation could lead to better prevention
and treatment of these diseases. In this study, we have investigated the effect of vinblastine on the
PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of rat aortic VSMCs. To investigate the antiproliferative effect of
vinblastine, we examined cell counting and [3H]-thymidine incorporation assays. The pre-incubation of
vinblastine (1~100 nM) significantly inhibited proliferation and DNA synthesis of PDGF-BB-induced rat
aortic VSMCs in concentration-dependent manner. In addition, vinblastine significantly inhibited
PDGF-BB-induced cell cycle progression in rat aortic VSMCs. Futhermore, PDGF-BB induced the
expression of PCNA were significantly inhibited in VSMCs treated with vinblastine. These results show that
vinblastine may be developed as a potential antiproliferative agent for treatment of angioplasty restenosis
and atherosclerosis.