title: Effect of D-003 on intimal thickening and circulating endothelial cells in rabbit cuffed carotid artery.
abstract: D-003 is a mixture of very-high-molecular-weight aliphatic primary acids purified from sugar-cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax, in which octacosanoic acid is the most abundant component. Previous experimental studies have shown that D-003 not only shows cholesterol-lowering and anti-platelet effects, but also reduces thromboxane B2 and increases prostacyclin levels. It acts by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. The positioning of a non-occlusive silicone collar around the rabbit carotid artery results in the formation of a neointima. Collars were placed around the left carotid for 15 days. The contralateral artery was sham-operated. We included three experimental groups: A control group received vehicle, and two others received D-003 at 5 and 25 mg/kg until sacrificed. Samples of arteries were examined by light microscopy. To evaluate intimal thickening the cross-sectional areas of intima and media were measured. Neointima was significantly reduced in D-003-treated animals compared with controls. Furthermore, the circulating endothelial cell has been studied in this experimental model with endothelium damage. The results demonstrate the protective effect of D-003 on vascular endothelium of the studied rabbits. It is concluded that the protective effect of D-003 against neointima formation and circulating endothelial cells in this experimental model could represent potential beneficial pleiotropic effects in the anti-atherogenic profile of this substance, beyond its cholesterol-lowering and anti-platelet effects independently demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histology, Department of Pharmacology, Center of Natural Products, National Center for Scientific Research, Havana City, Cuba. clinica@enet.cu
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noa
authors.forename: Sarahí
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Más
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002452:Cell Count; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D031786:Saccharum / Q000737:chemistry*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: C418063:D-003 sugarcane wax acid mixture; D005227:Fatty Acids