Chronic Inhalation of Nitric Oxide Inhibits Neointimal Formation After Balloon-Induced Arterial Injury

• DOI: 10.1161/01.res.78.2.337
• Publication Date: 2012-06-12T00:47:05Z
• Authors: Joon S. Lee; Christophe Adrie; Howard J. Jacob; Jesse D. Roberts; Warren M. Zapol; Kenneth D. Bloch
• Keywords: Neointimal hyperplasia

Abstract Systemic and local intravascular NO administration inhibits neointimal formation after vascular injury in animal models. appears to attenuate smooth muscle proliferation both directly indirectly by preventing the release of growth factors. Inhalation low concentrations dilates pulmonary but does not cause systemic vasodilatation. Recently, inhalation was found inhibit platelet function vivo. We studied effects on balloon-induced adult rat carotid artery. Beginning 60 minutes before injury, rats breathed either air with 0 or 80 ppm for 14 days. Rats were killed, arteries fixed paraffin-embedded, measured analyzing ratio intimal medial areas (I/M ratio) artery cross sections. Intimal hyperplasia evident groups animals, I/M ratios 43% less animals breathing 2 weeks than alone (0.78±0.12 1.37±0.11 [mean±SE], respectively; P <.02). Similarly, 1 week ratio, 0.39±0.11 versus 0.76±0.06; Breathing 20 followed did at In anesthetized hour, neither blood pressure nor bleeding time differed. These observations demonstrate that inhaling rats. may represent a safe novel method restenosis percutaneous angioplasty.