Comparison of trans-fatty acids on proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells
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Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Measuring Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Using Click Chemistry
Published on: October 30, 2019
Haewon Kim1, Chang Hee Jeong1, Hong Gu Lee2
11Department of Food Science and Biotechnology of Animal Resources, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029 Korea.
Abstract:
Consumption of trans-fatty acids has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Milk and dairy products contain trans-fatty acids, such as transvaccenic acid (TVA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Although artificially hydrogenated trans-fatty acids (e.g., elaidic acid (EA)) are known to induce atherosclerosis, it is unclear whether ruminant trans-fats, such as TVA, are associated with such diseases. Therefore, we investigated the effects of TVA on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). VSMCs were treated with TVA, CLA, and EA at 0-100 μM for 24 h. Cell proliferation and migration increased upon treatment with EA, not with TVA and CLA. EA increased protein expression of proliferation-associated proteins (cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cyclin D1), while TVA and CLA decreased CDK4 expression. These results suggest that TVA is not as risky as other trans-fatty acids such as EA in the vascular system.
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