Conventional Platinum Metal Implants Provoke Restenosis Responses in Atherogenic but Not Healthy Arteries

Platinum-containing stents are commonly used in humans with hypercholesterolemia, whereas preclinical stent evaluation has been performed healthy animal models, providing inadequate information about performance under hypercholesterolemic conditions. In this investigation, we an ApoE−/− mouse model to test the impact of hypercholesterolemia on neointima formation platinum-containing implants. We implanted 125 μm diameter platinum wires into abdominal aortas and ApoE+/+ mice for 6 months, followed by histological immunofluorescence examination neointimal size composition. It was found that developed neointimas four times larger area ten greater thickness than counterparts. Neointimas also contained higher amounts lipids quantified as having 370 more coverage compared ApoE+/+, a 3-fold increase SMCs, 22-fold macrophages. A confluent endothelium had regenerated both strains. The experienced luminal reductions closely resembling clinically relevant restenosis humans. Overall, response arterial implants highly dependent upon atherogenic environment.