Objective To study the mechanism of restenosis of the vein graft and the effect of the grafting injury to the vein graft. Methods One side of the 36 healthy rabbits was randomly chosen as the V-A group, and on the side a 1.5cmlong femoral vein was obtained, and an 0.5-cm-long segment of the obtained femoral vein was separated as the control group. The remaining 1-cm-long femoral vein was inverted and was autogenously implanted into the femoral artery on the same side of the rabbit. The other side of the rabbits was chosen as the V-V group, and on this side a 1-cm-long femoral vein was obtained ex vivo and then was sutured in situ. The vein grafts on both sides were harvested 4 weeks after operation. The specimens from the harvested vein grafts were stained with HE and theelastic fiber Victoria blue for an observation on the histological changes in the walls of the vein grafts, and the specimens were also stained by the immunohistochemistry of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) for an observation on the wall cell proliferation of the vein grafts. The changes in the ultrastructure of the proliferated wall cells of the vein grafts were observed under electron microscope. The two sides of the rabbits were compared. Results The smooth muscle cells of the media developed hyperplasia, but theintima and the media remained unchanged in their thickness (3.50±0.41 μm, 12.23±1.59 μm) in the V-V group, with no difference when compared with the control group (3.40±0.37 μm, 12.14±1.62 μm); however, when compared with the V-A group (25.60±3.21 μm, 21.30±2.47 μm),there was a significant difference in the thickness (Plt;0.01). There were no cells positive for PCNA by the immunohistochemistry examination in the control group. The cells positive for PCNA were found in the intima and the media in both the V-V group and the V-A group; however, the percentageof the cells positive for PCNA in the intima and the media was significantly greater in the V-A group than in the V-V group (16.4%±1.9% and 36.5%±3.7% vs 5.9%±1.3% and 23.4%±3.4%, Plt;0.01). In the V-V group, the endothelial cell could be observed under transmis-sion electron microscope, which was flat and had a processlike villus at its free end, and the endothelial cells were closely arranged andhad hyperplasia of the smooth muscle cells in the media. But in the V-A group,the endothelial cells had an obvious hyperplasia with an irregular shape and a widened space between the cells, and in the intima a great amount of the smooth muscle cells could be observed, which had a broken basement membrane. The smooth muscle cells also had an obvious hyperplasia in the media. The shape and alignment of the endothelial cells in the control group were similar to those in the V-V group, but the hyperplasia of the smooth muscle cells was not observed in the media. Conclusion The grafting injury can cause hyperplasia ofthe vascular wall cells, and if the hemodynamics is changed simultaneously, more serious hyperplasia and cell migration can be observed from the media to the intima, resultingin restenosis of the blood vessels. So, if we can reduce the grafting injury and improve the microcirculation of the vein graft, we may find out the methods ofpreventing restenosis of the vein graft. The animal model of the V-V graftcan help to understand the mechanism of restenosis of the vein graft.
Objective To review various kinds of therapeutic methods for restenosis after reconstructive vascular operation. Methods The literatures about prevention and treatment for restenosis after reconstructive vascular operation were reviewed. Results Therapeutic methods for vascular restenosis include gene therapy, drug treatment, placing external stent around the vein graft and physical therapy. The methods of gene therapy include transferring genes that inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and inactivating genes that promote the proliferation of VSMC through technology of antisensenucleic acids or RNA interference. Conclusion Current treatment for restenosis after reconstructive varscular operation have both advantages and disadvantages, some of which are still being disputed. With the development of the technology of molecular biology, gene therapy would be the most effective therapy method for vascular restenosis.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of endovascular radiation (ER) on the proliferation and apoptosis of medial smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to discuss the possible mechanisms of radiation in the prevention of vascular restenosis (RS) in rabbits after carotid endarterectomy (CEA).MethodsForty rabbits undergoing CEA were randomly divided into four groups (each group=10) and given a radiation dose of 0, 10, 20 and 40 Gy 32P respectively. Rabbits were killed on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 28th and 56th day after operation. The specimens were collected and histopathologic examinations were done.ResultsProliferation apparently occurred in the intima and media of carotid the lumen became narrow in the control group on the 14 th, 28 th and 56 th day after operation. While in the radiation groups, proliferation was apparently suppressed and the lumen was much less narrowed (P＜0.05). The apoptosis rate of SMCs and PCNA positive cells increased on the 3rd day after operation and reached the peak on the 7th day. There was statistical difference between the ER groups and control group (P＜0.01). The effects were much more evident in 20 Gy and 40 Gy groups compared with 10 Gy group (P＜0.01).ConclusionER may prevent RS by suppressing SMC proliferation and migration as well as inducing SMC apoptosis. The effects are positively correlated with radiation doses. SMC proliferation and apoptosis occur in the early period after balloon injury, while hyperplasia of intima and medial happens later.
Abstract:Objective To evaluate the effect of external stents on preventing vein graft neointima formation and medial thickening with non-restrictive macro porous polyester stent around porcine vein grafts. Methods Studies were performed by using ＂white race＂ pigs （n= 10） weight 25-30 kg. All the animals underwent bilateral saphenous vein into carotid artery bypass grafting. In each animal, a maeroporous stent was placed around a graft on one side and a control （unstented） graft on the opposite side. The polyester stent was shaped to cover both anastomoses completely. The size of the stem allowed unrestricted expansion of the graft in initial response to arterial pressure. After 35 days of surgery,all animals were taken to remove the grafts. Graft wall dimensions, platelet- derived growth factor （PDGF） expression and cell proliferation using proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） were measured on histological sections. Results Stents significantly reduced neointimal thickening （0. 4872 ± 0. 0706 mm vs. 0. 2259± 0. 0553mm,P〈0. 01）and medial thickening （0. 6246±0. 0859mm vs. 0. 4201±0. 0615mm,P〈0. 01）. Stents significantly reduced the percentage of cells expressing PDGF and PCNA. Media, intimal PCNA index was reduced from 7. 980/00± 4. 060/00 to 3.35±0.95%（P〈0.01）, PDGF index was reduced from 9.47%±5.35% to 2.67%± 0.97% （P 〈0. 01）. Conclusion External non-restrictive polyester stent can significantly inhibit neointimal formation and medial thickening, and may prevent late vein grafts restenosis.
Objective To find out the follow-up results of early in-stent restenosis (ISRS) and develop effective way to improve clinical treatment and precaution of restenosis. Methods The data from a registry of 51 consecutive patients who underwent elective carotid artery angioplasty and stenting （CAS） at our institution between Jan. 2003 and Sept. 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Complete data for 37 of these patients were available. All patients underwent duplex ultrasound scanning in follow-up period, which was used to determine the degree of restenosis. Results CAS was performed in 37 patients， 8.1% (3/37) were women. Mean age was (70.5±5.9) years. Mean time of follow-up was (12.2±7.7) months. Sixteen (43.2%) caces of ISRS （gt;30%） were found by color duplex ultrasound scanning， but only 1 (2.7%) ISRS was found gt;50%; 3 female patients had minor ISRS. Among all factors, female patients had higher incidence of ISRS than male (P=0.038); balloon-expanding after stenting and accompanying with other artherosclerosis of periphery vessel had correlation about ISRS （P=0.037, P=0.016）. Conclusion The severe restenosis rate is acceptable. Female patients were more likely to have ISRS. Balloon-expanding maybe have effect on reducing incidence of ISRS and controlling artherosclerosis was helpful.
Objective To observe expression of human antithrombin Ⅲ (hAT-Ⅲ) gene in vascular endotheliallike cells(VELCs) after transfected. Methods Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs) were isolated, cultured and proliferated in vitro, and were differentiated into VELCs. Then, the VELCs were divided into experimental group cells and control group cells randomly. Plasmid DNA with hAT-Ⅲ gene was transfected into VELCs by liposome mediate. At last, the hAT-Ⅲ expression was determined by reverse transcriptpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), immunohistochemical stain(IHCS), Westernblotting and chromogenic substrate assay at 72h and 96h respectively. In the control group, the plasmid DNA was replaced by TE buffer, and the other methods were the same as the experimental group. Results RT-PCR showed that the specific DNA fragment of hAT-Ⅲ could be amplifed in the experimental group cells, none in the control group. IHCS showed positive expression of hAT-Ⅲ in the experimental group cells, negative in the control group. Westernblotting showed that the specific band of hAT-Ⅲ could be detected in the experimental group cells culture fluid, none in the control group. Chromogenic substrate assay showed that the hAT-Ⅲ activity of the experimental group cells was 9.50%±1.52%, the control group was 1.83%±1.17%， there was statistically difference between two groups(t=7.910，Plt;0.01). Conclusion The hAT-Ⅲ gene could be transfected into VELCs and expressed successfully.
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factor for restenosis of esophageal anastomosis stricture after esophageal cancer operation. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 83 patients including 61males and 22 females at age of 58.9(41-81) years with esophageal anastomoic stricture after esophageal cancer operation between January 2002 and December 2013. According to whether the patients developed to restenosis or not, the statistical test and logistic regression was conducted to analyze the risk factors for restenosis. ResultsIn the 83 patients with esophageal anastomoic stricture after esophageal cancer surgery, 35 patients (42.2%) experienced restenosis within the following-up of 1 year. The result of logistic regression analysis indicated that restenosis appeared in 3 months (Wald value=23.3, P < 0.001), the interval between two subsequent sessions of more than 4 weeks at each esophagus dilatation(Wald value=4.8, P=0.029) and the stricture diameter of less than 12 mm after dilation (Wald value=5.8, P=0.016) are the independent risk factors for restenosis in esophageal anastomotic stricture. ConclusionFor the patients with esophageal anastomoic stricture after esophageal cancer operation, we believe that it's conducive to reduce esophageal restenosis if the interval between dilations is within 4 weeks and the diameter of stricture after dilation can reach above 12 mm.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a major treatment method for coronary artery disease，but postoperative vein graft restenosis remains an unsolved problem. Research has confirmed that perioperative antiplatelet therapy can effectively reduce early coronary artery bypass graft thrombosis. Lipid-lowering therapy can significantly improve long-term patency of saphenous vein grafts after CABG. In addition，gene therapy provides a new direction to prevent vein graft restenosis after CABG.
【Abstract】 Objective To reduce restenosis in vein grafts after coronary artery bypass grafting, to investigate theeffect of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor(TFPI) gene del ivery on neointima formation. Methods The eukaryotic expressed plasmid vector pCMV-(Kozak) TFPI was constructed. Forty-eight Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups with 16 rabbits in each group: TFPI group, empty plasmid control group and empty control group. Animal model of common carotid artery bypass grafting was constructed. Before anastomosis, vein endothel iocytes were transfected with cationic l iposome containing the plasmid pCMV- (Kozak) TFPI (400 μg) by pressurizing infusion (30 min) in TFPI group. In empty plasmid control group, vector pCMV- (Kozak) TFPI was replaced by empty plasmid pCMV (400 μg). In empty control group, those endothel iocytes were not interfered. After operation, vein grafts were harvested at 3 days for immunohistochemical, RTPCR and Western-blot analyses of exogenous gene expression and at 30 days for histopathology measurement of intimal areas, media areas and calculation of intimal/media areas ratio. Luminal diameter and vessel wall thickness were also measured byvessel Doppler ultrasonography and cellular category of neointima was analyzed by transmission electron microscope at 30 days after operation. Results Human TFPI mRNA and protein were detected in TFPI group. The mean luminal diameter of the TFPI group, empty plasmid control group and empty control group was (2.68 ± 0.32) mm, (2.41 ± 0.23) mm and (2.38 ± 0.21) mm respectively. There were statistically significant differences between TFPI group and control groups (P lt; 0.05). The vessel wall thickness of the TFPI group, empty plasmid control group and empty control group was (1.09 ± 0.11) mm, (1.28 ± 0.16) mm and (1.34 ± 0.14) mm respectively. There were statistically significant differences between TFPI group and other control groups (P lt; 0.01). The mean intimal areas, the ratio of the intimal/media areas of the TFPI group were (0.62 ± 0.05) mm2and 0.51 ± 0.08 respectively, which were reduced compared with those of the two control groups(P lt; 0.05). The mean media areas had no significant differences among three groups (P gt; 0.05). Through transmission electron microscope analyses, no smoothmuscle cells were seen in neointima of TFPI group in many visual fields, but smooth muscle cells were found in neointima of two control groups. Conclusion Human TFPI gene transfection reduced intimal thickness in vein grafts.
Abstract: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the conventional treatments of coronary artery disease. Though the artery grafts have its own superiority, autologous great saphenous vein is still commonly used. Ten years after operation, half of the vein grafts will be occluded and half of the remainder will often undergo severe pathological conditions. The poor long term patency of vein grafts has become the bottleneck of the efficiency of CABG. The restenosis of vein grafts resulting from neointima and atherosclerosis has become an urgent problem waiting to be resolved. As the study on the molecular mechanism and pathophysiology of the vein grafts disease develops, many therapeutic schedules have been made, including drug therapy, external stent, expanding solution and gene therapy. By contrast, gene therapy has a broader prospect. This article will have a review on the prevention of restenosis of the vein grafts after CABG.