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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
A Murine Model of Stent Implantation in the Carotid Artery for the Study of Restenosis
Published on: May 14, 2013
Study on mechanism of c-Myc in restenosis after coronary artery bypass grafting
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Remin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P.R. China. wangzhiwp@sina.com.
Objective:
To study the actions of c-Myc gene fragments in restenosis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Materials And Methods:
A total of 25 healthy pure breeds New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups according to weight, 5 in each group. The external jugular vein is placed at ipsilateral common carotid artery and sampling at 6h, 2d, 7d, 14d and 28d. The expression of the c-Myc positive cell population was observed in different time using immunohistochemistry and morphological analysis. The thickness and ratio of luminal intima and media were measured by the computer image analytical method.
Results:
The luminal intima and media thickness at day 7 is significantly thickening (p <0.01) from 6h while it has not changed (p >0.05) at day 14 and 28 compared to day 7. C-Myc proteins are gradually increased from 6h to day 7, reached a peak (p <0.01) at day 7; started declining from day 14-28. The difference has statistical significance (p <0.01) compared to day 7.
Conclusions:
C-Myc positive cell population has reached a peak after transplantation, which is identical with the peak of fast intimal proliferation. It indicates that c-Myc protein expression is closely associated to intimal proliferation. It can act as an indicator for intimal proliferation after vascular injuries in the early stage of reactions.
Insights
The study found that c-Myc protein expression peaks alongside rapid intimal proliferation following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in rabbits. This suggests c-Myc acts as an early indicator of intimal hyperplasia after vascular injury.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Molecular Medicine
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Restenosis is a significant complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving intimal proliferation is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and expression patterns of c-Myc gene fragments in the development of restenosis post-CABG.
- To determine if c-Myc expression correlates with intimal proliferation in a rabbit model.
Main Methods:
- New Zealand white rabbits underwent external jugular vein to common carotid artery grafting.
- Immunohistochemistry and morphological analysis were used to assess c-Myc expression at various time points (6h, 2d, 7d, 14d, 28d).
- Computer image analysis measured luminal intima and media thickness.
Main Results:
- Significant intimal and medial thickening was observed by day 7 post-grafting (p <0.01).
- c-Myc protein levels gradually increased, peaking at day 7 (p <0.01), and subsequently declined by days 14-28.
- The peak c-Myc expression coincided with the period of rapid intimal proliferation.
Conclusions:
- c-Myc protein expression is closely associated with intimal proliferation after vascular injury.
- c-Myc can serve as an early indicator of intimal proliferation in the initial stages following vascular procedures like CABG.
