Abstract-The platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist appears to reduce the need for revascularization after coronary angioplasty. However, since the effect of GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist on the in-stent neointimal thickening has not been clarified, we examined it in the canine model. The beagle dogs were assigned to the control (nϭ7) or the GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist FK633 group (nϭ7). FK633 was administered by subcutaneous osmotic pumps (0.2 mg ⅐ kg Ϫ1 ⅐ h
Ϫ1) and an intravenous bolus injection (1 mg/kg) before stenting. A coil stent was implanted in the left circumflex coronary arteries. The platelet aggregation capability was significantly (Ͻ5%) and consistently reduced by FK633 except for the mild elevation (10% to 30%) on the next day of stenting. Hearts were excised 3 months after stent implantation. The area of intima and media and the area stenosis were obtained from the sections of the stented arteries. The area of intima and media and the area stenosis (1.3Ϯ0.2 mm 2 , 41.8Ϯ7.5% and 1.3Ϯ0.2 mm 2 , 33.9Ϯ6.7% in the FK633 and the control group, respectively) were not different between the groups. We conclude that, although GP IIb/IIIa antagonist FK633 prevented the platelet aggregation significantly and consistently, it could not prevent the neointimal thickening after stent implantation in canine coronary artery. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1999;19:343-347.) Key Words: restenosis Ⅲ platelet Ⅲ glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Ⅲ stent A lthough restenosis after coronary intervention has been a major issue for a long time, a viable or effective means of prevention has not been found. Several prospective randomized trials 1,2 revealed that coronary stents, which prevent elastic recoil and vascular remodeling, reduce the incidence of restenosis. However, in-stent restenosis is still observed in 20% to 30% of patients and is mainly attributable to neointimal thickening. [3][4][5][6] Although various drugs have proven effective in reducing neointimal thickening in animal experiments, no drug is clinically available at present to prevent restenosis. Although the platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists have been evaluated recently in clinical trials [7][8] and are reported to reduce the ischemic events after coronary angioplasty and need for revascularization, their effectiveness in preventing restenosis has been refuted by the increasing evidence from clinical trials so far.The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of GP IIb/IIIa antagonist FK633 9 -10 (Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co) on neointimal thickening after stent implantation in canine coronary arteries.
Methods
Study ProtocolThe animal study was approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Animal Research Institute of Osaka University. Fourteen specific-pathogen-free, one-year-old beagle dogs weighing 8 to 12 kg (Oriental Yeast Co, Tokyo, Japan) were randomly assigned to the FK633 group (nϭ7) or the control group (nϭ7). A day before the stent implantation, the platelet aggregation induced by 20 mol/L ADP (Sigma)...