Experimental study of Hirudo andSalvia miltiorrhiza on smooth muscle cell hyperplasia following balloon angioplasty

Objective: To find the prevention of restenosis after transluminal angioplasty (TA).Methods: Sixty rabbit iliac arteries of 30 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group A, B and C, 20 in each. After experimental atherosclerotic stenosis and TA performing, ordinary forage plus 2 g of Hirudo (Hirudo nipponica whitmania) powder was fed to group A every day, to the group B, 2 gSalvia miltiorrhiza (red sage root) powder was added and to the group C, ordinary forage only. Angiography and pathomorphological examination were carried out 30 days later.Results: (1) Hirudo significantly reduced the thickness of iliac intima as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05), the thickness in the group A, B and C was 40.1 ± 9.8 μm, 48.2 ± 8. 2 μm and 69. 3 ± 9. 2 μm respectively. (2) The incidence of restenosis after TA in both group A (31.4%) and group B (48.4%)were significantly lower than that in the group C (62.8%,P < 0.05). The difference was also found between the group A and B(P < 0.05). (3) Ultrastructure examined by transmission electron microscopy showed that less rough endoplasmic reticulum and more myofilaments in well differentiated smooth muscle cell (SMC) of the arterial intima in the group A and B, while in the group C, more rough endoplasmic reticulum, more synthetic cells were seen in SMC.Conclusions: Hirudo andSalvia miltiorrhiza could effectively inhibit the hyperplasia of SMC in arterial intima and reduce intima thickness and the incidence of restenosis after TA significantly, thus it might play a role in the prevention of restenosis after TA. The effect of Hirudo is more potent than that ofSalvia miltiorrhiza.