title: Biomechanical study of hepatic portal vein in humans and pigs and its value in liver transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to explore the biomechanical properties of hepatic portal vein (HPV) in humans and pigs to provide evidence for liver xenotransplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pressure-diameter relationships of HPV from 6 deceased donors and 36 pigs were measured on a biomechanical experimental stand to calculate the elastic modulus and compliance. Each sample sliced into 5-mm frozen sections was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E). Geometric morphological indices were measured with a computer image analysis system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The length, wall thickness, and diameters of HPV in pigs increased from 1 to 6 months (P < .05). There were no significant differences between 6-month-old pigs and adult humans (P > .05). The incremental elastic modulus of the pig HPV increased with age, whereas the compliance decreased. There was no difference in the elastic modulus of HPV between 5- to 6-month-old pigs and humans (P > .05). Also, there was no difference in HPV compliance between 6-month-old pigs and humans (P > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggested that the biomechanical properties of HPV in 6-month-old pigs were similar to those of humans. From a biomechanical perspective, anastomosis of corresponding HPV from 6-month-old pigs to humans may be feasible in the process of pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation.
authors: Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunyang Medical College, Shiyan, China.
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Wang
authors: W C
authors: WC
authors: Li
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Xi
authors: H Q
authors: HQ
authors: Wang
authors: Z H
authors: ZH
authors: Zhang
authors: B C
authors: BC
authors: Yao
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Tang
authors: Z H
authors: ZH
authors: Deng
authors: X H
authors: XH
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult