Effect of all-trans retinoic acid on the expression of clusterin and intima hyperplasia due to endothelium injury of carotid artery in rabbits

Objective To observe the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) on the expression of clusterin and intima hyperplasia due to endothelium injury of carotid artery in rabbits,and to explore the action mechanism of atRA in anti-artery restenosis.Methods 36 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups: treatment groups (A,B),control groups (A,B),sham-operation groups (A,B),with 6 rabbits in each group.The rabbits in treatment groups and control groups were fed with high cholesterol diet and underwent air seasoning intervention of tunica intima of carotid artery,and the rabbits in treatment group were given atRA by gavage 3d before the operation,however,the rabbits in sham-operation groups were fed with normal diet and were operated,without damaging intima.All the rabbits were sacrificed at 7 and 28 days after the surgery,and the carotid artery segments were taken out to be observed for morphological changes.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of PCNA and clusterin.Results The neointimal formation was found at 7 days after surgery,and severe intima proliferation,lumen stenosis and typical atherosclerosis were found at 28 days in control group.The intima proliferation was slighter in treatment groups,and the intima area,ratio of intima/tunica media and the degree of lumen stenosis in treatment groups were significantly lower than those of control groups (P0.01),and the expressions of PCNA and clusterin in treatment groups were significantly lower than those in control groups (P0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion The atRA can inhibit neointimal proliferation and atherosclerosis progression due to artery endothelium injury,and the inhibition of clusterin expression may be one of the action mechanisms.