Abstract
We examined the effect of benidipine, a long lasting Ca2- channel blocker, on balloon catheterization-induced intimal thickening of the carotid artery in rats. In the carotid arteries of vehicle-treated rats, neo-intima formation and elevation of DNA content was observed at 14 days after the surgery. Benidipine (5 mg/kg, p.o., b.i.d.) halved the intimal thickening and suppressed the elevated DNA-content in the balloon catheter-injured artery. These results suggest that benidipine may be useful for the treatment of vascular proliferative diseases like restenosis following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.
