Valproic acid inhibits proliferation of human coronary vascular cells (SI/MPL-ratio: 0.5): a novel candidate for systemic and local therapy of postinterventional restenosis.

Objectives: The branched-chain fatty acid, valproic acid (VPA), is the most commonly used anti-epileptic drug for treating generalized epilepsy. Recently antiproliferative effects of VPA have been described in human cancer cells, and phase I trials for the treatment of solid tumors have been initiated. In cardiologic patients, increased cell proliferation and migration from the media into the subendothelial space are the key events causing restenosis after coronary angioplasty and stenting.