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

Abstract

We investigated the effect of bosentan on intimal hyperplasia of carotid artery anastomoses in rabbits. 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. 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 µm(2) (37.1 µm(2)-65.7 µm(2)), Group B: 31.4 µm(2) (12.2 µm(2)-63.2 µm(2)), (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. 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.