X-Message-Number: 13254
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 08:35:54 -0800 (PST)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: polyethylene glycol helps stabilize vein grafts

Authors
  Davies MG.  Huynh TT.  Fulton GJ.  Svendsen E.  Brockbank FG.  Hagen PO.
Institution
  Vascular Biology and Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Department of
  Surgery, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Title
  Controlling transplant vasculopathy in cryopreserved vein grafts with
  polyethylene glycol and glutathione during
  transport.
Source
  European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery.  17(6):493-500, 1999
  Jun.
Abstract
  BACKGROUND: the biological characteristics of cryopreserved allografts are
  poorly understood, although many factors are known to influence their
  outcome. This study examines the development of transplant vasculopathy in
  both fresh and cryopreserved vein allografts and specifically assesses the
  efficacy of a transport solution containing 10% polyethylene
  glycol and 10 microM glutathione (PEG/GSH). METHODS: jugular
  veins were harvested from control donor rabbits and transplanted as
  interposition carotid bypass grafts in 30 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits.
  Ten received the fresh jugular veins (fresh). Ten animals received jugular
  veins which had been harvested, transported in a physiological solution,
  cryopreserved and stored in a standard fashion (cryopreserved). Ten animals
  received jugular veins which had been harvested, transported in the same
  solution with the addition of PEG/GSH, cryopreserved and stored in a standard
  fashion (PEG/GSH). Cryopreserved jugular veins were stored for 6 weeks before
  transplantation. All animals were sacrificed 28 days postoperatively. Vein
  grafts were perfusion-fixed and wall dimensions were determined by
  planimetry. RESULTS: all transplanted grafts were patent at harvest. The
  control cryopreserved vein grafts showed a 54% increase in mean intimal
  thickness (63+/-10 micron vs. 41+/-3 micron p<0.05) but no change in mean
  medial thickness (125+/-9 micron vs. 119+/-13 micron; p = N.S. ) compared to
  the fresh allograft. Transport of the grafts in PEG/GSH solution resulted in
  the abolition of the increase in intimal thickness (41+/-4 micron; p <0.01)
  associated with cryopreservation without a change in medial
  thickness (140+/-15 micron; p = N.S.) compared to the cryopreserved
  allograft. CONCLUSION: cryopreserved vein grafts develop significant intimal
  hyperplasia compared to freshly transplanted grafts. The use of PEG/GSH in
  the transport solution significantly reduces this transplant graft intimal
  hyperplasia to that which develops in fresh grafts and may lead to
  improvements in the clinical use of cryopreserved veins. Copyright 1999 W.B.
  Saunders Company Ltd.

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