ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effet of ET-1 and ECE on endothelial proliferation of autografted vein.Methods An animal model of the autogenous vein graft was established in 80 Wistar rats.The expression of ECE and EF-1 gene was determined by RT-PCR and immunohistological method to test the mRNA and protein expresion level respectively.Results PCNA positive smooth muscle cells appeared 6 hours after transplantation,increased with time,and reached a peak at 1 to 2 weeks.After 2 weeks,PCNA positive SMC in the tunica media began to decline and recovered to the 6 hour level at 8 weeks after the operation.mRNA of ECE increased with the time after the operation,reached a peak after 1-2 weeks,declined afterwards,and became stable at around 8 weeks.Expression change of ET1 was similar to the change of ECE,reached the peak after 1-2 weeks and was stable after 8 weeks(r=0.975).Conclusions The time and pattern of change of the pathologic process of intimal hyperplasia are in agreement with the expression of ET-1 and ECE,and suggests that ECE is involved in the process of intimal hyperplasia of vein graft.