Effect of bosentan on intimal hyperplasia of carotid artery anastomoses in rabbits

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the effect of bosentan on intimal hyperplasia of carotid artery anastomoses in rabbits. Study design: Eighteen New Zealand male rabbits were randomized into two groups, as drug (Group B) and non-drug (Group A). The right carotid artery of all the subjects was transected and anastomosed end-to-end with 10/0 polypropylene suture. The left carotid artery was left intact. Group B subjects received 30 mg/kg/day oral bosentan for 21 days, starting 3 days before the operation. Group A subjects did not receive any medication. After 28 days, the anastomoses site and the contralateral control site were removed, and samples were investigated histomorphometrically. Results: Significant intimal hyperplasia was observed at all anastomoses compared to the non-anastomotic left side. Bosentan decreased significantly the intimal area [Group A: 48.3 μm2 (37.1 μm2-65.7 μm2), Group B: 31.4 μm2 (12.2 μm2- 63.2 μm2), (p=0.04)] and intima/media area ratio [Group A: 0.49 (0.13-0.74), Group B: 0.22 (0.09-0.37), (p=0.024)] compared to the non-drug group. Conclusion: According to our investigation, bosentan decreased the intimal hyperplasia developed in a rabbit carotid artery model. Further investigations are needed to support the potential clinical utilization of bosentan after vascular interventions.

Keywords

• bosentan
• endothelin-1; endothelin receptor antagonist; animals; hyperplasia; immunohistochemistry; carotid arteries/growth & development; receptors
• endothelin; rabbits
• new zealand.