Alpha lipoic acid inhibits oxidative stress and up-regulation of MMPS in human saphenous vein grafts

Background and Aims: The long-term patency rate of the grafts used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is low due to restenosis depending on a number of pathological processes such as excessive release of inflammatory cytokines, increased expression/activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which are zinc-dependent proteolytic and inflammatory enzymes, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and oxidative stress induction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine on oxidative stress, proliferation, expressions of MMP-2, MMP-14 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2), and the changes caused by a potent antioxidant alpha lipoic acid in human saphenous vein (HSV) grafts.