Effect of Bosentan on Carotid Artery Restenosis in Rat and Correlation of Serum VEGF

Objective To investigate the effect of Bosentan on carotid artery restenosis in rat and correlation of serum vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF). Methods 36 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 groups: control group , injured group and Bosentan group. Bosentan was administrated intragastricly to rats of Bosentan group.The balloon catheter injury was performed on left common carotid artery of rat by imitating the process of angioplasty. After 7 days, 14 days neointimal area(NIA) and stenosis index(SI) was calculated. Before and 7days after balloon injury, serum VEGF were detected. Results NIA and SI of Bosentan group were significantly decreased compared with injury group(P<0.001). Serum VEGF level significantly increased 7days after balloon injury both in injure group and Bosentan group. The increase rang in Bosentan group was higher than that in injury group(P<0.01). The serum VEGF level 7days after injury had linearly negatiuve correlation with SI. Conclusion Bosentan is effective on artery restenosis by inhibiting neointimal hyperplasis and increasing the serum VEGF level. Key words: Bosentan; Restenosis; Angioplasty; VEGF