Histopathological Effects of Nimodipine and Pentoxifylline on the Vessel Wall in End-to-End Anastomoses in Rat Carotid Arteries

Abstract

When reperfusion following ischemia occurs, oxygen returns to the ischemic tissue, increasing free oxygen radicals and inducing paradox secondary damage. Before infarction, revascularization may influence the morbidity rate. Successful revascularization is not always achieved due to stenosis incidence, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and intimal hyperplasia. This study compares the effects of nimodipine that prevents vasospasm and pentoxifylline, which stimulates growth factors and reduces collagen synthesis on intimal hyperplasia. Eighteen randomly selected Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Group 1, the control group; Group 2, intraperitoneally administered nimodipine; Group 3, orally administered pentoxifylline. Their right-sided carotid arteries were used for anastomosis and the left-sided ones for the control. After a 7-day treatment, both the right and left carotid arteries were removed. In the biopsy, the lumen’s area and diameter, thickness of tunica media thickness, thrombus, edema, intimal hyperplasia, vessel wall injury, and inflammation were analyzed. Pentoxifylline was effective in preventing intimal hyperplasia and tunica intima was similar to that in untreated carotid arteries. However, nimodipine inhibited intimal hyperplasia, but it was not as effective as pentoxifylline. The effects of pentoxifylline after anastomosis should be further assessed in vasoprotective treatment taking into account its efficacy against intimal hyperplasia.

Keywords

• Carotid Arteries
• Cerebral ischemia
• End-to-end anastomoses
• Nimodipine
• Pentoxifylline

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