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[Effect of urokinase on morphological changes of vein wall after acute thrombosis in rabbits]
Xiaoqiang Li1, Ming Yang, Chaowen Yu
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Hospital Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, China.
Objective:
To assess the effect of urokinase on morphological changes of vein wall after acute thrombosis in rabbits.
Methods:
Forty-three rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: thrombolysis group (n = 20), non-thrombolysis group (n = 20) and control group (n = 3). The thrombosed femoral veins of four rabbits in thrombolysis group anf four rabbits in non-thrombolysis group were taken 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 days after thrombosis. The expression areas of smooth muscle actin and collagen fiber were measured by histochemistry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the damage of endothelial cells.
Results:
The expression area of smooth muscle actin began to increase significantly since day 4 after thrombosis reached the peak value on day 7 in thrombolysis group and non-thrombolysis group; and then decreased in thrombolysis group but remained at a high level in non-thrombolysis group. The expression area of smooth muscle actin in thrombolysis group was always less that in non-thrombosis group (all P < 0.01). The expression area of collagen fiber began to remarkably increase since day 7 after thrombosis in both thrombolysis and non-thrombolysis groups, however, being less in the thrombolysis group, and then decreased in thrombolysis group and remained at a high level in non-thrombosis group. Different cellular damages were observed by SEM one day after thrombosis in both thrombosis groups. However, the injury cells began to be repaired since day 4 in thrombolysis group.
Conclusion:
Thrombolysis with urokinase effectively maintains the integrity of endothelium of vein wall and decreases the fibrocellular proliferation of the thrombosed vein, however, fails to stop the pathological changes caused by thrombosis.
