Journal of Bioequivalence & Bioavailability

Abstract

Review on Nitric Oxide, Carbon Monoxide and Antisense Based Therapy towards Treatment of Restenosis

Prathibha Ramadugu, Kanaka Latha Alikatte, Narendar Dhudipala and Vikas Bommasane

Balloon angioplasty has shown tremendous improvement in the treatment of atherosclerosis, but arterial renarrowing (restenosis) exists despite the benefits of intravascular devices called stents. Nitric Oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and Antisense therapy is some of the new potential treatment modalities. NO deficiency is associated with several vascular occlusive diseases, since NO regulates diverse aspects of blood vessel functions. More restricted human studies and several preclinical studies suggest that, NO supplement may solve the restenosis problem, although the data do not conclusively demonstrate this effect. CO, similar to NO, inhibits vascular smooth muscle cells (VSCM) proliferation and in turn relaxes blood vessels and inhibits platelet aggregation. Thus it is recently suggested that inhaling CO could address the restenosis problem. Recent advances in vascular gene transfer have shown positive results for cardiovascular diseases, particularly in the treatment of restenosis. Uncoiling the DNA, transcription of DNA, export of RNA, DNA splicing, RNA stability or RNA transcription involved in the synthesis of proteins in cellular proliferation are some of the process involving antisense based approach. This review focuses on discussing the recent advancements in the treatment of restenosis.