Possible involvement of enhanced arginase activity due to up-regulated arginases and decreased hydroxyarginine in accelerating intimal hyperplasia with hyperglycemia.

The present study was designed to investigate the roles of enhanced arginase activity due to up-regulated arginases and the decreased hydroxyarginine for accelerating intimal hyperplasia with hyperglycemia. Thirteen weeks after injection of alloxan or physiological saline, endothelial denudation of the carotid artery was performed to induce intimal hyperplasia. The intimal hyperplasia occurred on 4 weeks following denudation was significantly accelerated by hyperglycemia.