Gangliosides in rat femoral injury: Early effect on intimal hyperplasia

Previous studies demonstrated that some immunosupressive agents inhibit arterial intimal hyperplasia. Our previous studies demonstrated that gangliosides (Gang) have an immunosuppressive effect on as well as an anti‐inflammatory role in the wound‐healing process. Therefore, we decided to examine the effect of Gang on intimal hyperplasia. Twenty Wistar isogenic rats received a transverse division of the anterior wall of the femoral artery, followed by suturing using mononylon 10‐0 under surgical microscopy and were then divided into two groups: Gang group, 3 mg/kg per day of Gang, and control group, vehicle, intramuscularly from surgery to death (1 and 3 weeks, respectively). Concentric intimal hyperplasia was observed in arteries stained by hematoxylin‐eosin in control and Gang groups. However, the media layer did not demonstrate any major alterations. After 3 weeks, the Gang group showed more intimal hyperplasia than the control group. Therefore, because intimal hyperplasia worsened in the presence of Gang after 3 weeks, further studies will be necessary to clarify its role in intimal proliferation. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 21:170–172 2001