Naftazone accelerates human saphenous vein endothelial cell proliferation in vitro

Restoration of a haemocompatible surface after endothelial damage induced by treatments such as embolectomy, angioplasty, endarterectomy or irradiation or following vascular graft implantation is an important factor for the ultimate success of these interventions. The development of substances which enhance endothelial cell growth and accelerate their proliferation is therefore of great interest in such situations. In the present work naftazone was shown to accelerate human saphenous vein endothelial cell proliferation in vitro at concentrations which did not alter the hemostatic balance, resulting in a cell density at confluence 20% higher than in controls. This compound was able to partially substitute for serum requirements and further displayed additive effects in the presence of fibroblast growth factors. Thus naftazone, an original synthetic molecule distinct from growth factor peptides, is a promising candidate drug for the amelioration of vascular repair.