Biomechanical study of hepatic portal vein in humans and pigs and its value in liver transplantation.
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.
Wang
P J
PJ
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Yunyang Medical College, Shiyan, China.
Li
W C
WC
Xi
G M
GM
Wang
H Q
HQ
Zhang
Z H
ZH
Yao
B C
BC
Tang
W
W
Deng
Z H
ZH
Zhang
X H
XH
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