Inhibitory effect of methylene blue-induced photooxidation on intimal thickening of vein graft
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Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Training a Sophisticated Microsurgical Technique: Interposition of External Jugular Vein Graft in the Common Carotid Artery in Rats
Published on: November 11, 2012
K X Liu1, F Yamamoto, S Sekine
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan. kxliu@cvs.med.akita-u.ac.jp
Background:
We have previously speculated that methylene blue-induced photooxidation of adventitial surface for 5 minutes can completely inhibit the intimal and medial growth of surgically prepared saphenous vein in vitro. In this study, inhibitory effect of methylene blue-induced photooxidation on intimal thickening of vein graft in vivo was investigated.
Methods:
Jugular vein grafts were photooxidized in 0.01% methylene blue solution for 5 minutes, and interposed into arterial circulation for 4 weeks in rabbits. Vein grafts were studied by morphometry and immunohistochemistry.
Results:
The intimal thickening of photooxidized vein grafts were suppressed significantly compared with those in the nonphotooxidized group. Proliferated cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index (total PCNA-positive cells/total cell count x 100%) of vein graft was significantly higher in the nonphotooxidized group than those in the photooxidized group.
Conclusions:
Methylene blue-induced photooxidation is effective in the inhibition of intimal thickening of vein graft interposed in the arterial circulation for 4 weeks in vivo.

