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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
A Rabbit Venous Interposition Model Mimicking Revascularization Surgery using Vein Grafts to Assess Intimal Hyperplasia under Arterial Blood Pressure
Published on: May 15, 2020
[Effect of the biodegradable chitosan external stent on the early changes in the rabbit vein grafts]
Bin Yang1, Qing-yu Wu, Dian-yuan Li
1Department of Surgery, Fu Wai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100037, China. mdyangbin@sina.com
Objectives:
To investigate the effect of chitosan biodegradable external stent (CES) on the early changes of rabbit vein graft (VG).
Methods:
Rabbit vein grafting models were divided into S group (with perivenous CES) and NS group (without perivenous CES). The VG were harvested in 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks after operation, respectively. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used for evaluating the proliferation of the smooth muscle cell (SMC). The thickness, area of neointima and media of the VG were calculated by computer imaging analysis system.
Results:
CES began to degrade in 2 weeks after operation. The thickness, area of both neointima and media of the VG in S group, increased mildly in 1 week after operation, and kept steady in 1 or 2 weeks after grafting, which was significantly less than NS group (both P < 0.01), then increased mildly in 4 weeks after grafting but still less than NS group (P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA of SMC decreased significantly in comparison with NS group though increasing mildly in four weeks after operation. Both neointimal formation and cell proliferation in the graft wall were significantly reduced by external stenting as compared to the results with unstented grafts.
Conclusions:
CES may reduce early intimal and medial hyperplasia, and may be beneficial in improving the long term patency of the VG. The biodegradable characteristics of the CES may influence its effect.
