Basic fibroblast growth factor and myointimal hyperplasia after experimental polytetrafluoroethylene arterial grafting

Objective: To assess the role of polyclonal antibodies to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in inhibiting myointimal hyperplasia after insertion o f polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts in rats. Design: Experimental study. Setting: University laboratory, Italy. Animals: 24 inbred Lewis rats. Interventions: A segment of PTFE 1 fm long was interposed in the abdominal aorta. The animals were randomised in two groups, n=12 in each. The first w ere given polyclonal antibodies to bFGF at the time of operation, and for t he first two postoperative days; and the second were given non specific Ige at the same time periods. Main Outcome and Measures: Two animals died during the immediate postoperat ive period of anaesthetic complications. 12 animals (6 in each group) were killed 7 days postoperatively (24 hours after injection of 5-bromo-deoxyuri dine BrdU) to assess smooth muscle cell proliferation. The remaining 10 ani mals (5 in each group) were killed after 1 month to assess the degree of an astomotic myointimal hyperplasia. Results: Antibodies to bFGF resulted in less smooth muscle cell proliferati on at the anastomoses as well as anastomotic myointimal hyperplasia. Smooth muscle cell proliferation was reduced to about half in animals treated wit h anti-bFGF antibodies. Neointimal thickness was reduced in treated animals . Conclusions: We conclude that after PTFE arterial grafting there is increas ed production of bFGF at the anastomotic regions that leads to smooth muscl e cell proliferation and formation of myointimal hyperplasia. Agents that r educe the production of bFGF may also reduce the development of myointimal hyperplasia after PTFE arterial grafting.