The Effect of Diltiazem on Experimental Intimal Thickening Caused by Common Carotid Artery Investment in Rabbits

Abstract

We studied the prophylactic effect of diltiazem on experimental arteriosclerosis caused by investing the common carotid artery of rabbit with a polyethylene tube for three weeks. The arteriosclerotic lesions consisted mainly of fibrocellular intimal thickening, which is similar to spontaneous arteriosclerosis in human beings. Diltiazem (100 mg/kg/day orally) suppressed the intimal thickening and the destruction of the internal elastic lamina but not significantly. This model might be suitable for simulation of human fibrocellular intimal thickening without hyperlipidemia and be useful for the estimation of antiarteriosclerotic effects of various drugs.