Elsibucol (AGI 1096) is a VCAM1 inhibitor for the study of organ transplant rejection.Elsibucol is a metabolically stable propanol derivative with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. It lowers blood cholesterol levels and reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in injured arteries, thereby inhibiting atherosclerosis and protecting endothelial healing after arterial injury.

Elsibucol(0-20 μM) inhibited the inducible expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, E-selectin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in endothelial cells and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta secretion from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. It also inhibited the serum-stimulated proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells.[4]

Elsibucol (0.5%, 1%; feed; arterial injury in rabbits with hypercholesterolemia; 3 weeks) significantly decreases blood total cholesterol, LDLc, and triglyceride levels. This is associated with a significant 46% reduction of neointimal hyperplasia following arterial injury. Interestingly, the effect of Elsibucol on cholesterol levels and neointimal formation appears to be more pronounced than that of probucol. Treatment with Elsibucol is associated with a significant reduction of cellular proliferation (PCNA immunostaining), oxidative stress (nitrotyrosine immunostaining), VCAM-1 expression, and macrophage infiltration in injured arteries. Despite its potent effect on neointimal hyperplasia, Elsibucol does not prevent endothelial healing (Evans blue staining) following arterial injury. CONCLUSIONS: In hypercholesterolemic animals, Elsibucol inhibits atherosclerosis and preserves endothelial healing following arterial injury.[1]