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Beneficial effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester in a rat model of vascular injury
Author(s) -
Maffia Pasquale,
Ianaro Angela,
Pisano Barbara,
Borrelli Francesca,
Capasso Francesco,
Pinto Aldo,
Ialenti Armando
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704720
Subject(s) - caffeic acid phenethyl ester , neointima , restenosis , angioplasty , medicine , pharmacology , caffeic acid , chemistry , biochemistry , stent , antioxidant
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, was able to reduce neointimal formation in a model of endothelial injury of rat carotid artery (balloon angioplasty). Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between neointima formation and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation and we correlated NF‐κB activation to the expression of inducible isoform of cyclo‐oxygenase (COX‐2) in injured carotids. In control group a significant proliferation of neointima was observed 14 days after balloon angioplasty, which was correlated to an increase of NF‐κB/DNA binding activity as well as p50/p65 nuclear levels compared to those observed in the carotids from sham‐operated rats. Furthermore, NF‐κB activation was correlated to increased COX‐2, but not β‐actin, protein expression. Treatment of rats for 14 days with CAPE (3, 10, 30 mg kg −1 ) caused a significant inhibition of all the parameters assayed, except β‐actin protein expression. These results indicate that treatment with CAPE may lead to a reduction of neointima formation by inhibiting NF‐κB activation and suggest that this agent may have therapeutic relevance for the prevention of human restenosis.British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 136 , 353–360; doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704720