Ginsenoside Rb1 Attenuates Homocysteine-Augmented Guidewire Injury-Induced Intimal Hyperplasia in Mice

摘要

Background. Intimal hyperplasia (IH) is the primary cause for post-angioplasty restenosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of homocysteine (Hey) and ginsenoside Rbl (Rbl) on IH using a guidewire injury animal model.Methods. In 12-wk-old C57BL/6J mice, the left common carotid artery (CCA) was denudated with a guide-wire and the right CCA was used as the uninjured control. They were treated with saline (NS), Hey, Rbl, or Hey + Rbl for 4 wk prior to sacrifice. Animals were sacrificed at 4, 6, or 8 wk. Both CCAs were harvested and intimal-medium thickness (IMT) ratios were calculated. Local macrophage distribution was also studied.Results. Histology analyses demonstrated consistent internal elastic lamina disruption and focal IH in the injured CCA segments. The degree of IH correlated to the lengths of time following injury. Hey treated group had significant increase in IMT compared with the NS group (P < 0.05), while Rbl group was similar to the NS group. In addition, Hey + Rbl group showed significant improvement in IMT compared with Hey group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Hey significantly increased local macrophage content as compared with either lesion alone or Rbl treated animals.Conclusions. Our study showed that Hey increased the degree of IH and macrophage content in the injured CCA and that Rbl attenuated these adverse effects. These changes might be mediated through antioxidative effects of Rbl. Our data suggests a potential clinical application of ginseng in controlling Hcy-related VaSCUlar injuries.