X-Message-Number: 12534
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 10:21:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: PEG/GSH helps cryopreserved arteries

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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