Incidence of intimal proliferation and apoptosis following balloon angioplasty in an atherosclerotic rabbit model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of apoptosis in relation to the proliferative response in the intimal layer after experimental balloon angioplasty of a pre-existing plaque. METHODS: After induction of an intimal plaque in the right carotid artery by electrical stimulation, 26 rabbits underwent balloon angioplasty. Twelve animals served as a control group without performance of angioplasty after plaque induction. To study the time course of intimal apoptosis and cell proliferation the vessels were excised on day 7, 14 and 28 after balloon angioplasty. For in situ detection of apoptosis, the TUNEL-technique (TdT-mediated d-UTP fluorescein nick end labeling) was used. In addition, bromodeoxyuridine labeling in all animals allowed the determination of the percentage of cells undergoing DNA synthesis in the neointimal area. Additionally, smooth muscle cells were detected by immunostaining of alpha-actin and macrophages by a specific antibody (RAM 11). RESULTS: Within 28 days of balloon angioplasty, the number of cells undergoing apoptosis remained at a very low level and was not significantly different to the control group without interventional treatment (controls: 0.1 +/- 0.15%; 7 days: 0.44 +/- 0.68%; 14 days: 0.13 +/- 0.11%; 28 days: 0.1 +/- 0.1%). In contrast, the number of cells undergoing DNA synthesis was significantly increased at day 7 after angioplasty (3.72 +/- 2.0% vs. 0.51 +/- 0.29% in controls), resulting in an increase of the total intimal area from 0.088 +/- 0.037 mm2 in the control animals up to 0.256 +/- 0.172 mm2 at day 28 following balloon dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that significant changes in the occurrence of apoptosis are not involved in the regulation of cellular turnover during the examined time period after vessel wall injury. The lacking up-regulation of apoptosis in comparison to the increased cell proliferation in order to maintain the tissue balance is perhaps an important regulatory mechanism leading to intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury in this animal model. Overall, we suggest that there may be a delicate balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis in smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall, and only small shifts in this balance could account for both cellular accumulation in restenotic lesions as well as cell death in mature atheroma.

Endovascular irradiation with the liquid beta-emitter Rhenium-188 to reduce restenosis after experimental wall injury.

OBJECTIVE: Postinterventional irradiation is a new therapeutic concept in the prevention of restenosis. The liquid beta-emitter Rhenium-188 allows endovascular brachytherapy using a conventional balloon catheter without the problem of centering the radiation source. In an animal model of restenosis the feasibility and the dose dependent effect of intravascular brachytherapy with a Rhenium-188 filled balloon catheter was investigated. METHODS: In 68 male New Zealand White rabbits after endothelial denudation of the right common carotid artery with a Fogarty catheter, endovascular irradiation was performed with a Rhenium-188 filled 3.0-mm balloon catheter using different dosages (0, 7.5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 Gy at the surface of the vessel). Then 4 weeks after the intervention the vessels were excised and histologically analyzed. RESULTS: Whereas at 7.5 Gy the intimal area (median [first quartile; third quartile]) did not differ significantly from the control (0.46 mm(2) [0.33 mm(2), 0.75 mm(2)] vs. 0.49 mm(2) [0.34 mm(2), 0.66 mm(2)]), neointimal hyperplasia was decreased significantly at 15 Gy (0.15 mm(2) [0.04 mm(2), 0.17 mm(2)]) and 30 Gy (0.07 mm(2) [0.04 mm(2), 0. 10 mm(2)]), and completely inhibited at the highest dosages (45 Gy: 0 mm(2) [0 mm(2), 0.04 mm(2)]; 60 Gy: 0 mm(2) [0 mm(2), 0.01 mm(2)]). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter transmitted endovascular irradiation with the liquid beta-emitter Rhenium-188 after vascular injury is feasible and effectively reduced neointimal hyperplasia in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. A significant reduction of the neointimal formation could be found already at a radiation absorbed dose of 15 Gy at the vessel surface. Following a surface dosage of 45 Gy the proliferative response to the vessel injury is almost completely abolished.

17beta-estradiol, gender independently, reduces atheroma development but not neointimal proliferation after balloon injury in the rabbit aorta.

The aim of the present study was to investigate anti-proliferative and anti-atherogenic properties of 17beta-estradiol in balloon injured female and male rabbit aortae. Thirty-two female and 32 male New Zealand White rabbits where gonadectomised. Vascular injury was performed with a balloon catheter in the lower abdominal aorta. Male and female rabbits were randomised into four groups of eight animals each. Only two of four groups received a 0.5% cholesterol-enriched diet. One cholesterol-diet group and one normal-diet group received intramuscular injections of estradiol valerate (1 mg/kg body weight/week). After 28 days, the denuded part of the abdominal aorta was excised and analysed by morphometry and immunohistochemistry. Estrogen treatment did not show an inhibitory effect on neointimal proliferation in normo-cholesterolemic male or female rabbits. A gender independent inhibitory effect of 17beta-estradiol was seen on atheroma development in cholesterol-fed female and male rabbits, while plasma total cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in male rabbits only. The 17beta-estradiol treatment was associated with a significantly decreased number of luminal endothelial cells in normo and hyper-cholesterolemic female rabbits, as evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for 'von Willebrand factor'. Staining for Ki-67-positive proliferating cells after 28 days showed a statistically significant increased proliferative activity in the neointima of hyper-cholesterolemic female rabbits. The neointimal content of macrophages increased significantly in all hyper-cholesterolemic rabbits. Under 17beta-estradiol treatment, the number of macrophages was increased in female and decreased in male rabbits by tendency. Additionally, the 'classical' vascular estrogen receptor was present in both female and male rabbit aortae without statistically significant differences. In conclusion, 17beta-estradiol did not reduce post-injury neointima formation in normo-cholesterolemic rabbits. However, in hyper-cholesterolemic rabbits, 17beta-estradiol reduced atheroma development gender independently. This effect cannot be explained by lowering of plasma cholesterol levels or endothelium-mediated pathways, and requires further investigation on, for example, antioxidative, antiproliferative or estrogen receptor mediated effects.

Effect of 17-beta estradiol on pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions: role of the endothelium.

The atheroprotective effects of estrogen during the process of atherogenesis is well documented, whereas limited information is available about the effect of estrogen on pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions. After bilateral ovariectomy, 24 New Zealand White rabbits were randomized into three groups of eight animals each and subsequently fed a 0.5% cholesterol diet. In group I, the vessels were excised at day 84, whereas in group II, the cholesterol diet was continued for a total of 168 days. In group III, the animals were first fed with a cholesterol diet for 84 days; in the second phase of the experiment, the cholesterol diet was continued for a further 84 days with a combined estrogen treatment (1 mg estradiol valerate per kg body weight per week intramuscularly). At the end of the experiment, the proximal aortic arch, right carotid artery, thoracical aorta and abdominal aorta of each animal were excised and prepared for histological and immunohistological examination. By day 168, morphometrical analysis displayed a significantly lower plaque development under estrogen therapy in the carotid artery (0.08+/-0.18 mm(2) vs. 0.60+/-0.39 mm(2)), the thoracic aorta (0.56+/-0.94 mm(2) vs. 3.63+/-2.06 mm(2)), and in the abdominal aorta (0.55+/-0.70 mm(2) vs. 1.71+/-1.05 mm(2)) in comparison with the corresponding 168 day control group. However, estrogen treatment has failed to reduce further atherosclerotic plaque development in the aortic arch (9.42+/-1.79 mm(2) vs. 11. 64+/-3.29 mm(2)). Immunohistological detection of the 'anti-human factor VIII related antigen', i.e. the 'von Willebrand factor' (vWF), showed a significantly lower number of luminal cells positive for vWF in the aortic arch in the 84-day cholesterol group, compared with the corresponding controls of normocholesterolemic rabbits (65. 9+/-12.4% vs. 83.1+/-6.2%; P<0.05). Estradiol was able to inhibit the further progression of atherosclerosis when moderate vessel wall alterations were present, whereas pre-existing severe atherosclerosis was associated with a failure of the anti-atherosclerotic estrogen action. As suggested by the in situ detection of vWF as a morphological marker for endothelial cells, an intact endothelial layer might play an important role in mediating the beneficial effect of estrogen in the process of atherosclerosis.

Local intra-arterial drug delivery for prevention of restenosis: comparison of the efficiency of delivery of different radiopharmaceuticals through a porous catheter.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Several radiopharmaceuticals were administered through a porous balloon catheter to compare the absolute amount deposited and the retention in the vessel wall. The reported efficiency of local drug delivery ranges from 0.001% to 0.1%, with poor retention after 24 hours. METHODS: An endothelin derivative (n = 6), pertechnetate (n = 6), hexamethylpropylene amineoxime (HMPAO) (n = 5), ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) (n = 5), and tin colloid (n = 5) were labeled with 185 MBq/mL 99m-technetium. After balloon denudation of the infrarenal aorta in 27 New Zealand White rabbits, 100 microL of each agent was administered through a porous balloon at a pressure of 4 bar. Dynamic and static whole-body scintigrams were obtained for 24 hours. The infrarenal aorta was excised and the activity calculated in a gamma counter. RESULTS: Apart from their retention in the region of local administration, the radiopharmaceuticals showed different distribution patterns. The highest regional tracer retention was observed with HMPAO. After administration of HMPAO, a significant difference between regional (vessel wall plus surrounding tissue: 14.5% of injected dose [ID]/24 hours) and local (vessel wall: 1.8% ID/24 hours) delivery was found. In contrast, ECD was eliminated quickly (local retention after 24 hours = 0% ID). The retention efficiencies were HMPAO > endothelin derivative > tin colloid > pertechnetate > ECD. CONCLUSIONS: The different physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of radiopharmaceuticals resulted in different delivery efficiencies after local application.

Effect of the antioxidant Nicanartine on the proliferative and inflammatory response after experimental balloon angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidant treatment seems to reduce the development of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. In this study, the effect of Nicanartine, a new antioxidant drug with both antiproliferative and lipid-lowering properties, on the proliferative and inflammatory response after balloon angioplasty was investigated in a rabbit model of restenosis. METHODS: To induce pre-interventional plaques in the common carotid artery of 48 New Zealand White rabbits, electrostimulation was carried out for 28 days. After a break of 7 days, balloon angioplasty was performed in 36 animals, of which 18 received Nicanartine at a dose of 120 mg/kg body weight; the other 18 served as a control group. The vessels were excised by day 7 and 28 after balloon angioplasty and examined for intimal plaque size, macrophage content and proliferative activity. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling was used to determine proliferating cells in the dilated segment; macrophages were detected using the RAM-11 antibody. RESULTS: In the Nicanartine-treated group, immunohistological quantification 7 days after intervention showed a statistically significant (P< 0.05) reduction of both cells undergoing DNA synthesis (1.6+/-1.4% versus 3.7+/-2.2%) and intimal macrophages (0.7+/-1.2% versus 1.3+/-0.6%). Twenty-eight days after balloon angioplasty, proliferative activity in both groups was decreased to a level comparable to the non-dilated control groups. A clear trend towards smaller plaques could be seen in the Nicanartine group (0.146+/-0.077 mm2 versus 0.255+/-0.174 mm2). Total cholesterol levels did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSION: Under treatment with Nicanartine a clear reduction in the proliferative and inflammatory response after balloon angioplasty was observed. Antioxidant treatment, especially with compounds having antiproliferative and lipid-lowering properties, appears to be an effective secondary preventive strategy after interventional treatment in patients with coronary artery disease.

Prolonged proliferative response of smooth muscle cells after experimental intravascular stenting.

The purpose of this experimental in vivo study was to determine the time course of smooth muscle cell proliferation early and late after intravascular stenting compared to conventional balloon angioplasty in normal vessels. A balloon expandable 2.0 mm tantalum Strecker stent was placed in the right carotid artery of 33 male New Zealand White rabbits after they had been fed a 0.5% cholesterol diet for 28 days. In addition, balloon angioplasty was performed in 27 of the animals; 19 contralateral vessels served as controls without treatment. The vessels were excised at 7, 14, 28, 42 or 90 days after treatment. During the final 18 h before the rabbits were killed, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was applied and proliferating cells were detected by using a monoclonal antibody against BrdU. In histological cross sections the proportion of cells undergoing DNA synthesis was determined. Analysis was performed separately in the intimal and medial layers. Additionally, the area adjacent to the stent wire was compared with the intermediate area. Smooth muscle cells were identified by alpha-actin staining. Intimal wall thickness increased from 23 +/- 28 microns (control group without intervention) to 323 +/- 84 microns within 42 days after stenting (P < 0.01), and to 81 +/- 82 microns at day 42 after balloon angioplasty (P < 0.05). However, between 42 and 90 days following stent implantation a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in neointimal thickness was observed (90 days: 215 +/- 15 microns).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Does anti-atherogenic estradiol valerate treatment cause adverse effects on liver and uterus in NZW rabbits?

The rabbit has been a widely accepted animal model for atherosclerosis research since Anitschkow first used this animal in 1913 in identifying dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia as a major risk factor for atherogenesis. Experiments with cholesterol-fed rabbits have demonstrated the beneficial effects of estrogen treatment on the development of atheroma for more than 50 y. Clinical trials have found a reduction in cardiovascular events of up to 50% in postmenopausal women receiving estrogen replacement therapy. However, metabolic conditions in rabbits, as well as physiological estrogen serum levels, differ in some aspects from those in humans. In rabbits, experimentally-induced hormone levels are about 5- to 10-fold higher than those found in untreated animals. Normal physiological estrogen levels in rabbits are not cardioprotective under dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia. We investigated whether replacement induced "hyperestrogenemia" causes adverse effects on organs other than the cardiovascular system. Twenty-nine female rabbits were divided into 4 different groups, 2 without and 2 with estrogen treatment (1 mg estradiol valerate/kg body weight/w over 12 w). Organ weights, transaminases and uterine histology were examined. In rabbits treated with estrogen, we did not see relevant adverse effects on heart, kidney and liver weights, or on liver enzymes. But there was a significant increase in spleen weights, as well as notable changes in the endometrium with moderate inflammation. These findings indicate that the dosage of estrogen commonly used for atherosclerosis research does not cause serious disorders in the major organs of cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Inhibition of cellular proliferation after experimental balloon angioplasty by low-molecular-weight heparin.

BACKGROUND: The proliferative response induced by balloon angioplasty is known to be an important factor in the development of restenosis after successful coronary angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS: To study the effects of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on cellular proliferation after experimental balloon angioplasty, LMWH (3.9 kd, 400 anti-Xa units/kg/day) was given to 20 male New Zealand White rabbits. After an intimal fibromuscular plaque was induced by electrical stimulation in the right carotid artery, LMWH was applied during the 7 days after balloon dilatation. As the control group, 20 other rabbits underwent balloon angioplasty without application of LMWH. The vessels were excised 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after balloon treatment. During the final 18 hours before the rabbits were killed, bromodeoxyuridine was applied. Intimal wall thickness increased from 13 +/- 5 cell layers (preangioplasty control group) to 20 +/- 6 cell layers in the LMWH-treated group at 28 days (p less than 0.05). In contrast, histological examination of control animals 28 days after angioplasty revealed a significant increase to 35 +/- 15 cell layers (p less than 0.01). Immunohistological quantification showed a significant increase (p less than 0.001) of cells undergoing DNA synthesis at 3 (10.2 +/- 4.2%) and 7 (7.7 +/- 4.8%) days after balloon dilatation in control animals. In contrast, at 3 and 7 days after balloon treatment, the percentage of cells undergoing DNA synthesis in LMWH-treated rabbits was lower (3 days, 2.7 +/- 1.8%; 7 days, 1.9 +/- 0.3%) than the corresponding untreated controls but showed a significant increase (p less than 0.01) compared with the preangioplasty controls. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant, however (3 days, p less than 0.01; 7 days, p less than 0.05). As early as 14 days after angioplasty, the extent of cellular proliferation was normalized and was comparable to the preintervention levels in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that the proliferative response after balloon angioplasty can be reduced in vivo by early treatment with LMWH and thus encourage further clinical investigations.

Vascular injury and time course of smooth muscle cell proliferation after experimental holmium laser angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: In vitro experiments have shown that holmium laser energy can effectively ablate even calcified plaque in human arterial vessels. Because high-energy densities from holmium lasers can easily be transmitted through quartz fibers, this solid-state laser has been suggested as an alternative intraluminal treatment of atherosclerotic plaque. METHODS AND RESULTS: To develop an intimal plaque, 35 New Zealand White rabbits underwent electrical stimulation of their right carotid artery for 28 days. Subsequently, in 25 rabbits, holmium laser angioplasty (wavelength, 2.12 microns; pulse duration, 150 microseconds; energy density, 350 mJ/mm2) was performed. To study the morphological results, the vessels were excised after 7, 14, 28, and 42 days. Cross sections were analyzed in regard to laser-specific injury. Staining of alpha-actin was used to identify smooth muscle cells (SMCs). After bromodeoxyuridine labeling, the extent of proliferation (number of cells undergoing DNA synthesis) was determined by using a monoclonal antibody. Holmium laser ablation resulted in an initial decrease of the numbers of intimal cell layers in the early group (7 days after treatment: 5 +/- 1 cell layers with 76 +/- 39 microns; control: 13 +/- 3 cell layers with 144 +/- 44 microns). Quantification of SMCs undergoing DNA synthesis in the intima (control: 51 +/- 19 cells/mm2) showed a significant increase of labeled cells after 7 (216 +/- 74 cells/mm2, p = 0.003) and 14 days (281 +/- 139 cells/mm2, p = 0.011). Integrity of the internal elastic lamina was disrupted in all animals after intervention. Seven and 14 days after treatment, a considerable reduction of medial cell nuclei was found in 10 of 12 animals. SMC proliferation in the medial layer was increased within the first 2 weeks after laser ablation (168 +/- 113 cells/mm2; control: 8 +/- 4 cells/mm2; p = 0.023). Six weeks after holmium laser angioplasty, SMC proliferation had returned to control levels in the intima and remained increased in the medial layer. This proliferative response resulted in a significant increase of intimal thickening within 6 weeks after laser ablation (30 +/- 6 cell layers, 375 +/- 97 microns resp.; p = 0.001 each). CONCLUSIONS: Holmium laser treatment leads to considerable vessel wall injury and results in SMC proliferation in the intimal and medial layer with a maximum of proliferative activity within the first 2 weeks. Subsequently, this results in considerable intimal and medial hyperplasia within 6 weeks after treatment.

Accumulation of macrophages in the arterial vessel wall following experimental balloon angioplasty.

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is a key event in the development of restenosis after balloon angioplasty, and it is thought that macrophages play an important role in the complex process of activation of SMCs after vascular injury induced by balloon angioplasty. The study was designed to determine the time course of the accumulation of macrophages in the intimal layer following experimental balloon angioplasty. To determine the extent and time course of the accumulation of macrophages after experimental balloon angioplasty, an intimal atheroma was produced by repeated weak electrical stimulation of the right carotid artery of 45 male New Zealand White rabbits. Additionally, the animals received an 0.5% cholesterol diet during the 28 days of plaque development. Transluminal balloon angioplasty was subsequently performed. At 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 days after balloon treatment the vessels from at least five animals from each group were excised and analysed for the presence of macrophages using immunocytochemical techniques. In one group of five animals plaque development occurred without subsequent balloon angioplasty; the animals were killed after 21 days (sham group). SMCs were identified by immunohistological staining of alpha-actin. Intimal thickening increased after dilatation from 137 +/- 62 microns (control group without balloon treatment) to 244 +/- 47 microns in the 42 days after angioplasty (P < 0.05). The percentage of macrophages in the intimal layer displayed a significant increase (P < 0.01) at 14 days after angioplasty (9.1 +/- 4.3% vs 2.0 +/- 1.7% in the control group).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)