Objectives:To investigate the effect and mechanism of adventitia applied slow-releasing triptolide on proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs of the autologous vein graft. Methods:Twenty-four healthy rabbits were made external jugular vein to common carotid artery models and then were divided into 3 equal groups at random:Blank-control group received no management on adventitia of the vein graft;F-127 pluronic gel control group received local application of 0.5 ml 20% F-127 pluronic gel containing 0.1ml DMSO on adventitia;and experimental group received local application of 0.5 ml F-127 pluronic gel containing triptolide 300μg on adventitia. Vein graft samples were harvested at 2 weeks after the operation. Histomorphologic methods were used to detect the degree of intima hyperplasia of the samples. The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and bcl-2 of the samples were detected by immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) was detected by TUNEL. Results:Two weeks after vein grafting

compared with blank-control group and F-127 control group

intima hyperplasia was markedly inhibited by applying triptolide 300μg on adventitia(P<0.05)

expressions of both PCNA and bcl-2 reduced significantly(P<0.05)

and the positive cells of TUNEL increased markedly(P<0.05). Conclusion:Applying slow-releasing triptolide on adventitia by F-127 pluronic gel can effectively reduce VSMC proliferation and induce VSMC apoptosis

to inhibit intima hyperplasia of the vein grafts.