Comparative trial of local pharmacotherapy with L-arginine, r-hirudin, and molsidomine to reduce restenosis after balloon angioplasty of stenotic rabbit iliac arteries
Research article published in Radiology (2001)
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine if local application of L-arginine, r-hirudin, or molsidomine significantly reduces restenosis after balloon angioplasty in stenotic rabbit iliac arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one male cholesterol-fed New Zealand white rabbits underwent balloon dilation of both common iliac arteries to induce arterial stenosis. Four weeks later, one stenotic iliac artery was simultaneously dilated and received local application of L-arginine (210 mg/mL, n = 7), r-hirudin (0.5 mg/mL, n = 8), or molsidomine (0.2 mg/mL, n = 8) with a channeled balloon catheter. On the contralateral side, 0.9% saline was injected as a control. In eight sham animals, saline was applied to one iliac artery and balloon dilation to only the contralateral artery. Six weeks after local treatment, vessels were harvested, and computerized morphometric and immunohistologic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Application of drugs resulted in a significant reduction of neointimal area as follows: 53% with L-arginine (1.01 mm(2) vs. 2.17 mm(2), P <.05), 43% with molsidomine (1.04 mm(2) vs. 1.89 mm(2), P <.05), and 20% with r-hirudin (1.79 mm(2) vs. 2.24 mm(2), P <.05). Infusion of saline led to a significant increase (50%, 1.21 mm(2) vs. 1.93 mm(2), P <.05) in neointimal area compared with balloon dilation alone. Immunohistologic findings showed a significant reduction of macrophages (5.0% vs. 10.2%, P <.05) and proliferating cells (6.2% vs. 10.6%, P <.05) in the neointima after local application of L-arginine. CONCLUSION: Reduction of neointimal area was significant for L-arginine and molsidomine but not for r-hirudin. Saline infusion caused significant arterial trauma, resulting in additional neointimal proliferation.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
To determine if local application of L-arginine, r-hirudin, or molsidomine significantly reduces restenosis after balloon angioplasty in stenotic rabbit iliac arteries.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study examined whether local application of L-arginine, r-hirudin, or molsidomine via channeled balloon catheter could reduce restenosis after balloon angioplasty in stenotic iliac arteries of cholesterol-fed New Zealand white rabbits. The abstract reports that neointimal area reduction was significant for L-arginine (53%) and molsidomine (43%) but explicitly states in its conclusion that reduction was NOT significant for r-hirudin. The abstract refers only to 'r-hirudin' without mentioning leeches, leech origin, or hirudotherapy. This is an animal model using a recombinant agent applied locally to arteries, the result for r-hirudin was negative, and no connection to live leech therapy or ASH's domain is established.
Citation
Comparative trial of local pharmacotherapy with L-arginine, r-hirudin, and molsidomine to reduce restenosis after balloon angioplasty of stenotic rabbit iliac arteries
Kalinowski M · Radiology, 2001
Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026