Effects of defibrotide on morphological and contractile properties of rabbit carotid artery

The effects of defibrotide, a polydeoxyribonucleotide, were investigated on the morphological and contractile properties of normal as well as collared carotid arteries. Intimal thickening induced by the perivascular application of a silicone collar was not prevented by defibrotide. However, interestingly, a significant medial thickening was observed both in sham or collared arteries from defibrotide-treated rabbits. In addition, this medial thickening was not accompanied by any luminal narrowing. Defibrotide-induced medial thickening without any luminal narrowing in rabbit carotid artery represents an outward hypertrophic vascular remodeling and may contribute to the effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of peripheral obliterative arterial disease