Possible roles of 5-HT in vein graft failure due to intimal hyperplasia 5-HT, nitric oxide and vein graft

Surg Today. 2014 Feb;44(2):213-8. doi: 10.1007/s00595-013-0555-z. Epub 2013 Mar 28.

Abstract

For vascular occlusive disease, an autologous vein graft is the most suitable conduit for arterial reconstruction. Intimal hyperplasia, resulting from the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, is a major obstacle to patency after vein grafting. The degree to which the function of nitric oxide (NO) in the vein graft is preserved has been reported to be associated with the magnitude of intimal hyperplasia. Serotonin (5-HT) is released from platelets in the vascular system and plays physiological roles in controlling the vascular tone. The subtype receptors contributing to the 5-HT-induced mechanical responses vary by vessel type (artery and vein) and among species (dogs, rabbits, rats, and so on). Recent studies have demonstrated that 5-HT induces vasoconstriction through the activation of 5-HT2A receptors in smooth muscle cells or vasodilatation through the activation of endothelial 5-HT1B receptors in arteries from various animals. However, the effects of 5-HT have not been clarified in grafted veins. We herein demonstrate the responses to 5-HT in un-operated veins and then autogenous vein grafts. Next, we describe the effects of chronic in vivo administration of Rho-kinase inhibitors and 5-HT2A receptor antagonists, both of which reduce the 5-HT-induced contraction and intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts. Further studies targeting 5-HT are required to evaluate its possible benefits for autologous vein grafts with respect to vasospasm, function, and patency.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Down-Regulation
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Graft Rejection / etiology*
  • Hyperplasia
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / metabolism
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / metabolism
  • Serotonin / physiology*
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Vasoconstriction*
  • Veins / pathology*
  • Veins / transplantation*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • rho-Associated Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rho-Associated Kinases / physiology

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Serotonin
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins