Abstract 481: Athero-metabolic and Inflammatory Alterations Promote In-stent Restenosis in ApolipoproteinE Deficient Rats

PurposeRecently, Apoliprotein E deficient (ApoE-/-) rats have been generated by genetic manipulation, while the bench-to-bedside relevance of this novel model for coronary stenosis research has not been elucidated. Here, we seek to characterize vascular inflammation and in-stent cross-sectional stenosis (ICS) development in the abdominal aorta of ApoE-/- rats. MethodsTrans-abdominal aorta bare-metal stent (Multi-LinkMini Vision, Abbott Vascular Inc., Santa Clara, CA; 2.5 x 8 mm; 12 atm) implantation was performed in ApoE-/- rats (Sigma Aldrich Genetic Engineering, Saint Louis, MO). At 7 and 28 days, quantification of ICS, neointimal (NI) area, injury score and inflammation score was conducted using image analysis software (DISKUS, Hilgers, Konigswinter). Blood serum analysis for Interleukin (IL)-6, -8 and -10 and for cholesterol levels was performed. ResultsSerum cholesterol levels were elevated in ApoE-/- rats (8.63±1.73mmol/l vs. 1.98±0.55mmol/l; p<0.001) as compared to ApoE+/+ rats. IL-6 and (294.7±80...