title: Preservation of Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Function of Human Saphenous Vein Transplants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Methods for conservation and preservation of vascular grafts are often controversially discussed. Furthermore, immunologic monitoring or immunotherapy for allogeneic graft is not considered necessary in many cases. The present study was initiated to examine the cellular vitality and functional efficiency of vein transplant during preservation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven human vein segments (vena saphena magna) were stored after explant in University of Wisconsin solution or histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution at 4 °C. After 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours, vein functionality was tested. Ring segments were fixed by triangles in Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Contractile function was measured after addition of potassium chloride solution (80 mM) and phenylephrine (0.2, 2, or 20 μM). To investigate endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, 1 μM acetylcholine was added.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 27 segments, 5 showed endothelium-dependent relaxation. Vasorelaxation continued for up to 48 hours after administration of acetylcholine in University of Wisconsin solution and for up to 24 hours in histidine-tryptophane-ketoglutarate solution. At 48 hours, potassium chloride solution-induced vasocontraction was 17% more effective than phenylephrine in University of Wisconsin solution. University of Wisconsin solution was significantly more effective than histidine-tryptophane-ketoglutarate solution in terms of preservation of phenylephrine (0.2, 2 μM)-induced vasocontraction. Phenylephrine (2 μM)-induced contraction was retained in University of Wisconsin solution after 24 hours by 81% and after 48 hours by 55%, with comparable results in histidine-tryptophane-ketoglutarate solution of only 62% and 34% after 24 and 48 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At 48 hours, human saphenous vein transplants had better endothelium and smooth muscle function when preserved in University of Wisconsin solution versus histidine-tryptophane-ketoglutarate solution.
authors: From the Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Bas
authors: Bernd
authors: B
authors: Luther
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Knopf
authors: Tatsiana
authors: T
authors: Suvorava
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Kojda
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000494:pharmacology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D011343:Procaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011887:Raffinose / Q000494:pharmacology; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000637:transplantation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C039984:Bretschneider cardioplegic solution; D007328:Insulin; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; C055206:University of Wisconsin-lactobionate solution; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008353:Mannitol; D011343:Procaine; D000493:Allopurinol; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D005978:Glutathione; D005947:Glucose; D000241:Adenosine; D011887:Raffinose