Effect of different irrigating solutions on the endothelium of small arteries: experimental study in rats

The effects of four different irrigating solutions (normal saline, Ringer's solution, renal transplantation solution, and C solution) on the endothelium of small arteries were studied, with the femoral artery of rats being used as an experimental model. Perfusion was carried out for 30 minutes in all groups and the influence of exposition and clamping alone was also studied for control, the animals being killed 48 hours, and 1, 2, and 4 weeks postoperatively, depending on the subgroup. A total of 116 rats was operated upon. Morphological studies included light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Increasing degrees of lesion, namely cytoplasmic alterations in the endothelial cells, focal discontinuity of the endothelium, various degrees of subendothelial edema, blood cell aggregation, and blood clotting, were observed consecutively with normal saline, Ringer's, renal transplantation unit (RTU), and C solutions. Normal saline and C solutions were concluded to have the least and the most deleterious effects, respectively.