Effect of nattokinase on restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the abdominal artery in rabbits

Objective To investigate the effect of nattokinase on intimal hyperplasia in rabbit abdominal artery after balloon injury and explore a novel strategy for the preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.Methods Fifty-six New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 7 groups,namely the solvent control group,model group,natto extract lavage group,refined nattokinse lavage group,intravenous refined nattokinse injection group,clopidogrel group and clopidogrel-aspirin group.Balloon injury was induced by inserting the catheter through the femoral artery into the thoracic aorta of the rabbits.The platelet counts were notad and platelet aggregation was observed,and the abdominal artery was taken for pathological analysis.The expressions of MMP-2 and-9 in the abdominal artery were detected immunohistochemically.Results There was no significant difference in the platelet counts,platelet aggregation rate or MMP-2 and-9 expression between the model group and the nattokinse-treated groups(P0.05).The stenosis index in each nattokinse-treated group was significantly greater and the neointimal proliferation index smaller than that of the model group(P0.01 or 0.05).Conclusion Nattokinse can inhibit restenosis of rabbit abdominal artery after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty,which is independent of its actions on the platelet or MMP-2 and-9 expressions.