[Effect of arsenic trioxide on rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells after balloon angioplasty].
OBJECTIVE
To study the apoptotic effect of arsenic trioxide on rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (RVSMCs) after balloon angioplasty.


METHODS
A New Zealand rabbit underwent balloon angioplasty three times at one of its iliac arteries. The iliac artery at the opposite side was used as control. Three days after the rabbit was killed. The VSMCs of the iliac artery undergoing balloon angioplasty were cultured. Arsenic trioxide of different concentrations was added into the culture. VSMCs not co-incubated with arsenic trioxide was used as controls. Cell proliferation curve was drawn. DNA was extracted and underwent electrophoresis. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultramicroscopic structure. TUNEL technique was used to examine the apoptosis of cells.


RESULTS
Cell proliferation curve showed that the control cells grew geometrically and reached a plateau stage by day 3. The cells co-incubated with arsenic trioxide proliferated more slowly and the plateau stage appeared earlier dose-dependently (P < 0.05). Electrophoresis showed obscure ladder band of DNA specific to cell apoptosis, especially at the concentrations of arsenic trioxide of 3.0 and 4.0 micro mol/L. Transmission electron microscopy showed apoptotic cells with apoptosis nodes. TUNEL technique showed that the number of yellow-dyed cells was significantly larger after the addition of arsenic trioxide. The above-mentioned manifestations were not seen in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Arsenic trioxide increases the apoptosis of rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells after balloon angioplasty and inhibits RVSMCs over-proliferation. It is a hopeful measure in prevention of re-stenosis after angioplasty.
Luan
Tian-zhu
TZ
Department of Cardiology, First Clinical Medical College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
Mei
Yu
Y
Xu
Dong-xiu
DX
Huang
Yong-lin
YL
Qu
Xiu-fen
XF
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits
D001152:Arsenicals; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide