Corticosteroids and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in arteries of renal transplants.
In the arteries of 17 rejected renal grafts 'activated' smooth muscle cells (ASMC) were discerned from a 'resting' type. Proliferation and fibre production by ASMC resulted in a marked thickening of intima. Each of four normal Wistar rats received 20 mg prednisolone i.v./day for one week and the development of hypertension was therapeutically prevented. Changes similar to those in the graft arteries were found in the rat aortas. We assume that SMC were stimulated by several mechanisms in rejection but also by extremely high dosed corticoids.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D002455:Cell Division; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones