Serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels in rat models of intimal hyperplasia

Abstract

Recently we reported that there is a direct correlation between monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mø) infiltration and the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH) in rat interposition vein graft. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is the most potent chemoattractant and activating chemokine for Mo/Mø. We evaluated rat serum MCP-1 levels as the indicator of inflammatory response, before and after operation. In twenty five male Lewis rats (484 ± 7 g) we interposed epigastric vein graft into the right common femoral artery. Rat serum MCP-1 levels were measured before skin incision and before and after bypass (0 hour, two weeks and four weeks), using enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay method. Rat serum MCP-1 levels were significantly increased at 0 hour (154 pg/ml,p < 0.05), two weeks (187 pg/ml,p < 0.01) and four weeks (169 ng/ml,p < 0.01), compared to before skin incision (87 pg/ml). These results suggest that the prolongation of inflammatory response may cause the development of IH in rat interposition vein grafts.