ABSTRACT
Objective To expose the effect and its potential mechanism of vinpocetine (Vinp) on the restenosis of dia?betic grafted veins. Methods Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into saline control group and Vinp treat?ment group. The autologous jugular vein to carotid artery transplantation was performed in diabetic model rats. Normal sa?line or Vinp were intraperitoneally injected. The rats were sacrificed at 0, 2 or 4 weeks after surgery, then the grafted veins were harvested. The pathological sections were used to detect the effect of Vinp on intimal hyperplasia. The protein expres?sion of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by immunohistochemical method, and which was described by cell proliferation index. The phosphorylation of NF-κB was detected by Western blot assay. Results The treatment of Vinp on intimal hyperplasia in vivo was significant at two weeks after surgery (17.06±5.10)μm versus control group (39.79±7.84μm, P<0.01), (30.94±5.18)μm versus (63.67±18.09)μm at four weeks after surgery (P<0.01). Vinp treatment effectively reduced the protein expression of PCNA [2 weeks:(21.07±1.38)%vs. (28.13±1.35)%,P<0.01;4 weeks:(31.73±1.38)%vs. (63.67 ± 18.09)%, P<0.01]. The treatment of Vinp inhibited phosphorylation of NF-κB at two weeks (1.08 ± 0.42 vs. 0.84 ± 0.12, P < 0.01). Conclusion Vinpocetine can effectively attenuate intimal hyperplasia in diabetic grafted veins, which might be related to its effect on inhibiting phosphorylation of NF-κB as well as inflammation.