title: Pulsatile perfusion system for ex vivo investigation of biochemical pathways in intact vascular tissue.
abstract: We have constructed and performed initial validation of an innovative perfusion system that allows exposure of intact segments of vascular tissue to realistic physiological and hemodynamic environments ex vivo. Computer-controlled opening and closing of an in-line gate valve allows generation of arterial pressure waveforms. The control algorithm predicted resultant pressure waveforms with a high degree of accuracy (Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.97). To document vascular homeostasis ex vivo, vasomotor bioassays and morphological studies were performed. The bioassays consisted of injecting epinephrine (2 x 10(-3) mg/ml) into the perfusion system followed by acetylcholine (100 microM) while concurrently measuring vessel diameter with a laser micrometer, significant vasomotion was measured for canine carotid arteries (n = 4) bioassayed after 1, 24, and 48 h of perfusion (P < 0.03). Additionally, human saphenous vein segments were perfused for 24 h (n = 4) and viewed with laser confocal scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy; photomicrographs show typical vascular morphology. We conclude that the vascular perfusion system described herein is well suited for investigating the response of intact vascular tissue to hemodynamic variables.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Labadie
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Antaki
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katyal
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ligush
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pham
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Borovetz
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004285:Dogs; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004867:Equipment Design; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D010477:Perfusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000109:Acetylcholine; D004837:Epinephrine