Reconstruction of the Canine Carotid Arteries by Use of Irradiated Arterial Grafts: A Scanning Electron Microscopic and Functional Study
1977 Volume 29 Issue 2 Pages 350-375
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1977 Volume 29 Issue 2 Pages 350-375
Immunity and sterility are major problems of the homologous and heterologous transplantation. Cathode ray irradiation provided by a Van de Graaff generator has been used to sterilize various tissues destined for grafting. More recently, irradiated grafts with high-voltage electron beams have shown evidence of suppressed transplantation immunity. Cervical arteries of 31 dogs were reconstructed by the frozen-irradiated homologous arterial grafts, which were examined as follows:
1) Reendothelialization of the grafts was observed in various stages of healing by a scanning electron microscopy.
2) Fluorescence microscopic technique was employed to demonstrate regeneration of adrenergic nerve fibers of the grafts 4 months and 8 months after surgery.
3) Regeneration of vasa vasorum of the grafts were investigated by colloidal carbon perfusion technique.
4) Muscle contraction was examined by transmural electric stimulation or by local application of noradrenalin or KCl solution.
Scanning electron microscope disclosed a thin mural thrombus consisting of fibrin and platelets which was quickly formed on the inner surface of the grafts. Reendothelialization was recognized at the sites of anastomosis five days after operation. An arterial graft as long as 5 cm was completely covered with neo-endothelial cells in 2 months, though, nuclear region was relatively elevated. Neo-endothelial cells seemed to be matured at the end of the 4th month, when their nuclear zone was flat and marginal fold reappeared. Reendothelialization of a longer graft (10 cm) was completed in the little later stage compared with 5 cm graft. Present SEM findings might suggest that the neo-endothelial cells are derived from the pre-existing endothelium of recipient artery, and that they imigrate centripetal through the graft along the superficial plane of the mural thrombus.
Neither regeneration of adrenergic nerve fibers and vasa vasorum, nor contractile activity of arterial wall was evident at all.
