Journal
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
Volume 7, Issue 11, Pages 1920-1928Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2009.03607.x
Keywords
carotid arteries; endothelium; IGF-1; nitric oxide synthase; restenosis
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Funding
- Italian Ministry of University and Scientific Research
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Background: IGF-1 is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells, but exerts protective effects on endothelial cells that may trigger antiatherogenic mechanisms. Objectives: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that an IGF-1 excess following arterial injury prevents neointima formation and vascular stenosis. Methods: Rats were subjected to carotid balloon injury and treated with IGF-1 (1.2 mg kg-1 per die) or saline for 10 days. Results: In IGF-1 treated animals, high tissue levels of eNOS, Akt and its phosphorylated form were found, confirming activation of IGF-1-dependent signaling pathways. IGF-1 markedly reduced neointima formation and post-injury arterial stenosis. IGF-1 exerted proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects in the media of injured carotids, but inhibited mitotic activity and induced apoptosis in the neointima. Furthermore, IGF-1 stimulated mobilization of progenitor endothelial cells and re-endothelialization of the injured arteries. L-NAME administration inhibited IGF-1 vasculoprotective effects. Conclusions: IGF-1 attenuates post-injury carotid stenosis by exerting differential effects in the neointima and tunica media with regard to the key components of the response to injury. The data point to a novel role of IGF-1 as a potent vasculoprotective factor.
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