Insulin binding and effects of insulin on glucose uptake and metabolism in cultured rabbit coronary microvessel endothelium.

Microvascular endothelial cells were isolated from rabbit cardiac tissue, and cultivated by standard tissue culture techniques. The conversion of [U-14C]glucose to CO2 and lipids was significantly enhanced by insulin treatment. Insulin stimulated uptake of 2-[3H]deoxyglucose and enhanced the transport of 3-O[3H]methyl-D-glucose. Specific binding of [125I]insulin to RCME cells, displaceable by cold insulin, was also observed. These data demonstrate that insulin is capable of regulating metabolic activities in coronary microvascular endothelium.