Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition reduces intimal hyperplasia in a porcine arteriovenous-graft model

The patency of arteriovenous (AV) polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for hemodialysis is impaired by intimal hyperplasia (IH) at the venous outflow tract. IH mainly consists of vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and extracellular matrix proteins. Because matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes able to degrade extracellular matrix proteins such as elastin and collagen and also stimulate migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, we hypothesized that BB2983 (a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor) could reduce IH in AV grafts.