Fig. 5

Effect of nicorandil on high-glucose-induced VSMCS proliferation and migration. a VSMCs were incubated with high glucose (25 mM) and treated with nicorandil (100 μmol/l) or 5-HD (500 μmol/l). VSMCs proliferation was detected using BrdU proliferation assay kit. 24 h of high glucose induced VSMCs proliferation. Nicorandil inhibited the proliferation and 5-HD partially blocked the effect of nicorandil. b Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay kit. Nicorandil suppressed the increase of cell viability induced by high glucose. 5-HD, a mitoKATP channel-selective antagonist, blocked the effect of nicorandil. c VSMCs migration was assessed by wound healing assay. d Quantitative analysis of percentage of migrated area in control group, high glucose group, high glucose + nicorandil group, and high glucose + nicorandil + 5-HD group. Nicorandil prevented high glucose-induced cell migration by opening mitoKATP channel. Bars represent mean ± SE. **p < 0.01