ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF DESFERRIOXAMINE ON VASCULAR SMOOTH-MUSCLECELLS IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth is a primary component of ac celerated and spontaneous atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown that iron may be involved in the control of enzymatic activities that modulate DNA synthesis in human cells. In this study the effects of t he iron chelator desferrioxamine on in vitro and in vivo VSMC prolifer ation were tested. Rat VSMCs in culture and a rabbit model of carotid artery balloon injury were used. Desferrioxamine showed a significant inhibitory effect on [H-3]thymidine incorporation in cell cultures tha t was antagonized by iron supplementation. Desferrioxamine also provid ed effective preventive myointimal VSMC proliferation as assessed by b romodeoxyuridine labeling and morphometric analysis of endoluminal ste nosis. These experiments suggested that iron may be involved in the co ntrol of VSMC proliferation and that desferrioxamine may have a role i n preventing VSMC growth and myointimal proliferative lesions.