In type 2 diabetes, the interplay between cells and inflammatory mediators up-regulates CD36 expression in macrophages. The aim of this work was to investigate advanced glycation end products (AGE)-induced CD36 expression and its regulation by insulin in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from Goto–Kakisaki (GK) rats, a non-obese insulin model of both insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The context of overexpression of CD36 in aortas was also evaluated.

VSMCs were isolated and cultured from the aortas of GK rats and non-diabetic rats. The expression of proteins was evaluated by Western blot. The aortic production of superoxide anion (O₂^·−) was measured by luminescence on isolated tissue. AGEs and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) were determined in plasma by fluorescence spectroscopy and spectrophotometry, respectively. AGE receptor (RAGE), NF-κB, and CD36 protein expression as well as O₂^·− production were higher in GK aortas than in control aortas, and AGEs and AOPPs were higher in GK plasma. In VSMCs from non-diabetic rats, insulin was able to reduce (10nM) or suppress (100nM) the protein overexpression of CD36 induced by AGEs–BSA. In contrast, in VSMCs from GK rats, insulin was unable to reduce AGEs–BSA-induced CD36 overexpression.

The results suggest an overexpression of CD36 in VSMCs from GK rats and impaired control by insulin. In the context of increased plasma AGEs, aortic RAGE overexpression and increased oxidative stress markers, the data are compatible with an AGEs induced CD36 overexpression in diabetes.