Effect of cilostazol on endothelial cell denudation and proliferation in canine vein grafts

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of cilostazol o n endothelial cell denudation and proliferation in vein grafts used as arte rial substitutes. Unilateral aortoiliac bypass was performed using the late ral jugular vein in 20 mongrel dogs. The animals were divided into two grou ps according to whether or not cilostazol was given. The grafts were remove d at intervals of 1 day and 50 days, and the luminal surface was assessed f or endothelial cell coverage (%). The denudation of endothelial cells was l ess extensive in the cilostazol group than in the control group on postoper ative day 1. There was significantly more proliferation of endothelial cell s in the control group over the course of time than in the cilostazol group . In conclusion, cilostazol significantly prevented early endothelial cell denudation, although it did not appear to stimulate successive endothelial cell proliferation. Therefore, cilostazol may help preserve an intact intim a, which would potentially result in the inhibition of intimal hyperplasia.