Systemic α1A-adrenoceptor antagonist inhibits neointimal growth after balloon injury of rat carotid artery

Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that norepinephrine, acting through α1A-adrenoceptors, stimulates hypertrophy, proliferation, and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and adventitial fibroblasts and may contribute to neointimal growth, lumen loss, and inward remodeling caused by iatrogenic wall injury and vascular disease. Our present aim was to determine whether intravenous administration of the α1A-adrenoceptor antagonist KMD-3213, at dosages without systemic hemodynamic effects, inhibits wall growth after injury. Inhibition of α1A-adrenoceptors with 12.8 and 32 μg/kg KMD-3213 had no effect on arterial pressure or renal and hindquarter resistances in anesthetized rats. A second group then received carotid balloon injury and continuous intravenous KMD-3213 at 4 and 10 μg · kg−1 · h−1for 2 wk. Mean, systolic, and diastolic arterial pressures and heart rate of conscious unrestrained rats were unaffected. KMD-3213 reduced neointima growth by ∼30 and 46% at the two doses (P< 0.01). Thes...