Methods: Between March 2015 and April 2015 12 randomly-selected New Zealand male rabbits, weighing 2 to 3 kg, were divided into two groups. The right carotid arteries were transected and sutured with 8-0 polypropylene material with continuous suture technique. The control group (n=8) received no additional medication, while the study group (n=6) received 150 IU/kg/day of bemiparin for seven days. All rabbits were sacrificed on Day 28, and the carotid artery segments were removed and prepared for histological examination.

Results: All histochemical and histomorphological analyses were performed by two investigators who were blind to the groups. In the cross-section analysis of the vessel specimens of the control group, thickening of the tunica intima was noticed, and in a section, the intimal thickening was almost occluding the lumen with a few recanalization areas. In the bemiparin group, the intimal hyperplasia (p<0.006) and the thickness of the tunica media decreased (p<0.018), compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the histomorphometric analysis results of the mean luminal diameters and luminal areas between the groups (p<0.100, p<0.068, respectively).

Conclusion: Our study results suggest that bemiparin exerts its effect preventing neointimal hyperplasia and endothelial cell proliferation in animal model.