Effect of rapamycin on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells following balloon injung in rats

AIM: To study the relationship between p27~(kip1)levels and the degree of proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC) in rats following balloon injury,and the interference by Rapamycin.(METHODS): percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) was performed on a rat model.The expression of p27~(kip1) CDK2 and cyclinE were measured by flow cytormetry.Data were analyzed by SPSS.(RESULTS):Rats receiving Rapamycin before surgery demonstrated elevated p27~(kip1) level and alleviated stenosis.CONCLUSION: p27~(kip1) level in proliferated VSMC is negatively correlated to proliferated(degree).Rapamycin could reduce proliferation of VSMC after balloon injury by increasing the level of p27~(kip1).