N-acetylcysteine prevents neointima formation in experimental venous bypass grafts

Background: Neointima formation, mainly characterized by smooth muscle cell proliferation, is an important cause of venous bypass graft failure. The therapeutic potential of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to attenuate smooth muscle cell proliferation and neointima formation was examined in vivo. The effects of NAC on hyperoxia-induced venous smooth muscle cell (VSMC) cytokine production and proliferation were addressed in vitro.

Methods: Rats underwent autologous epigastric vein-to-femoral artery interposition grafting. Fourteen rats received oral NAC, and a similar control group received saline. Histomorphometric analysis was performed after 7 days or 3 weeks. Cytokine analysis and cell proliferation assay were performed in cultured human VSMCs after hyperoxic or normoxic exposure and NAC administration.

Results: NAC-treated rats displayed a threefold reduction in neointimal area, a sixfold reduction in stenosis rate, and a twofold reduction in VSMC proliferation after vein graft surgery. Incubation of VSMCs in 70 per cent oxygen stimulated the release of mitogenic inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-8. Cytokine-rich medium from these VSMCs induced proliferation of normoxic VSMCs. NAC inhibited hyperoxia-induced cytokine release and VSMC proliferation.

Conclusion: NAC attenuated neointima formation and vein graft stenosis by reducing VSMC proliferation in vivo, and prevented hyperoxia-induced cytokine production and VSMC proliferation in vitro.