Estrogen replacement attenuates exaggerated neointimal hyperplasia following carotid endarterectomy in rats.

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether estrogen may attenuate neointima formation in hyperhomocysteinemic rat carotid endarterectomy.

METHODS

Rats were divided into 6 groups: ovariectomized estradiol-treated homocysteine or chow; ovariectomized placebo-treated homocysteine or chow; intact placebo-treated homocysteine or chow. Chow served as controls while homocysteine served as exaggerated intimal hyperplasia. Prior to endarterectomy, rats were implanted with estradiol mini-pump or placebo, diets given 2 weeks before and after surgery. Homocysteine, estrogen, and neointimal hyperplasia were determined.

RESULTS

Homocysteine was elevated in homocysteine groups versus controls except in estradiol-treated group. Intimal hyperplasia increased in placebo-treated ovariectomized homocysteine versus intact group. Exaggerated intimal hyperplasia in placebo-treated ovariectomized homocysteine was reduced by estrogen and so was homocysteine. Estrogen replacement in ovariectomized homocysteine group reduced intimal hyperplasia to that of intact or ovariectomized controls.

CONCLUSION

Estradiol treatment in this ovariectomized hyperhomocysteinemia carotid endarterectomy and resultant attenuation of homocysteine and neointima may have relevance to the beneficial effects of estrogen on hyperplastic response.