Establishment of a rabbit model of coronary artery bypass graft and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene transfection

This study established an animal model of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene was transfected into grafted arterial walls to verify transfection efficiency. Forty rabbits were randomized into the following 4 equal groups: 1) eNOS gene transfection group (eNOS group); 2) empty eNOS gene transfection group (empty gene group); 3) control group; 4) normal femoral artery group. Grafted arteries, and normal carotid and femoral artery specimens were obtained 3 weeks later. Immunohistochemistry and analyses of tissue nitric oxide (NO) levels, eNOS activity, and eNOS protein western blotting were performed. The effectiveness and efficiency of transfection were observed and confirmed. All rabbits survived. The grafted arteries retained patency. Varying degrees of adaptability changes were observed in grafted arteries in each group. The eNOS group exhibited vascular wall thickening and significantly increased eNOS protein expression. The control and empty gene groups exhibited vessel wall degeneration, and eNOS protein was weakly or not expressed (P < 0.05). The arterial wall NO concentration and total eNOS activity in the eNOS group were significantly higher than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). Western blotting demonstrated that the vascular wall eNOS protein concentration was significantly greater than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the eNOS gene transfection can increase eNOS expression and activity in vessel walls, increasing local NO concentration and expression.