Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial injury with covered stents: an experimental study in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using endovascular repair to treat penetrating arterial injuries with covered stents. Feasibility was examined according to the circumferential extent of the injury. INTRODUCTION: Surgical trauma often increases the risk of major morbidity and mortality associated with vascular injury, and endovascular repair has many advantages in such situations. METHODS: Twenty white male domestic pigs weighing 28-38 kg with controlled vascular injuries were divided into four equal groups according to the circumferential extent of their vascular lesion (i.e., no lesion, lesion <50%, lesion >50%, and complete lesion). The left common carotid artery was dissected with proximal and distal control, and this procedure was followed by controlled sectioning of the arterial wall. Local manual compression was applied for 10 min and was followed by endovascular repair with the placement of a 5x50 mm VIABHAN TM covered stent using the femoral approach. We also monitored additional variables, such as the duration of the procedures (the mean was 56.3 ± 19.1 min), ultrasound parameters (e.g., maximum arterial diameter, peak systolic and diastolic velocity, and resistance index), arteriography findings, and fluctuations in vital signs (e.g., cardiac output, arterial pressure, and central venous pressure). RESULTS: The experimental procedure was found to be feasible and reproducible. Repairs were successful in all animals in the control (no lesion) and <50% lesion groups. Success was also achieved in four out of five pigs in the >50% group and in one pig in the complete lesion group. DISCUSSION: The endovascular repair of an arterial injury is possible, but success depends on the circumferential extent of the arterial lesion. The present experimental model, which involved endovascular techniques, highlighted important factors that must be considered in future studies involving similar animals and materials

Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial injury with covered stents: an experimental study in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using endovascular repair to treat penetrating arterial injuries with covered stents. Feasibility was examined according to the circumferential extent of the injury. INTRODUCTION: Surgical trauma often increases the risk of major morbidity and mortality associated with vascular injury, and endovascular repair has many advantages in such situations. METHODS: Twenty white male domestic pigs weighing 28-38 kg with controlled vascular injuries were divided into four equal groups according to the circumferential extent of their vascular lesion (i.e., no lesion, lesio

Effects of ischemic preconditioning in a pig model of large-for-size liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: In most cases of pediatric liver transplantation, the clinical scenario of large-for-size transplants can lead to hepatic dysfunction and a decreased blood supply to the liver graft. The objective of the present experimental investigation was to evaluate the effects of ischemic preconditioning on this clinical entity. METHODS: Eighteen pigs were divided into three groups and underwent liver transplantation: a control group, in which the weights of the donors were similar to those of the recipients, a large-for-size group, and a large-for-size + ischemic preconditioning group. Blood samples were collected from the recipients to evaluate the pH and the sodium, potassium, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. In addition, hepatic tissue was sampled from the recipients for histological evaluation, immunohistochemical analyses to detect hepatocyte apoptosis and proliferation and molecular analyses to evaluate the gene expression of Bax (pro-apoptotic), Bcl-XL (anti-apoptotic), c-Fos and c-Jun (immediate-early genes), ischemia-reperfusion-related inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF-alpha and IL-6, which is also a stimulator of hepatocyte regeneration), intracellular adhesion molecule, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (a mediator of the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning) and TGF-beta (a pro-fibrogenic cytokine). RESULTS: All animals developed acidosis. At 1 hour and 3 hours after reperfusion, the animals in the large-for-size and large-for-size + ischemic preconditioning groups had decreased serum levels of Na and increased serum levels of K and aspartate aminotransferase compared with the control group. The molecular analysis revealed higher expression of the Bax, TNF-alpha, I-CAM and TGF-beta genes in the large-for-size group compared with the control and large-for-size + ischemic preconditioning groups. Ischemic preconditioning was responsible for an increase in c-Fos, IL-1, IL-6 and e-NOS gene expression. CONCLUSION: Ischemia-reperfusion injury in this model of large-for-size liver transplantation could be partially attenuated by ischemic preconditioning

Estimation of intracranial pressure by ultrasound of the optic nerve sheath in an animal model of intracranial hypertension

Antecedentes: La ecografía del diámetro de la vaina del nervio óptico (ONSD) se ha utilizado como alternativa no invasiva y rentable a la monitorización invasiva de la presión intracraneal (PIC). Sin embargo, aún se desconoce el comportamiento temporal del ONSD en la hipertensión intracraneal (HIC) y su alivio mediante infusión salina o cirugía. El objetivo de este estudio fue correlacionar la presión intracraneal (PIC) y la ultrasonografía de la vaina del nervio óptico (ONS) en un modelo animal experimental de HIC y determinar el intervalo necesario para que la ONSD vuelva a los niveles basales. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio experimental en 30 cerdos. La ONSD se evaluó mediante ecografía a diferentes PIC generadas por inflado intracraneal con balón, infusión salina y desinflado con balón, y se midió utilizando un catéter intraventricular. Resultados: Todas las variables obtenidas por ultrasonografía ONS como ONSD izquierdo, derecho y promedio (AON) fueron estadísticamente significativas para estimar el valor de la PIC. La ONSD cambió inmediatamente después del inflado del balón y volvió a los valores basales tras un retraso medio de 30 min después del desinflado del balón (p = 0,016). No se observó significación estadística en los valores de PIC y ONSD con la infusión de solución salina hipertónica. En este modelo porcino, la PIC y la ONSD mostraron una correlación lineal y la PIC pudo estimarse mediante la fórmula: -80,5 + 238,2 × AON. Conclusiones: En el presente estudio, la ecografía para medir la ONSD mostró una correlación lineal con la PIC, aunque se observó un breve retraso en volver a los niveles basales en el caso de alivio súbito de la HIC.Background: Ultrasound of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) has been used as a non-invasive and cost-effective bedside alternative to invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. However, ONSD time-lapse behavior in intracranial hypertension (ICH) and its relief by means of either saline infusion or surgery are still unknown. The objective of this study was to correlate intracranial pressure (ICP) and ultrasonography of the optic nerve sheath (ONS) in an experimental animal model of ICH and determine the interval needed for ONSD to return to baseline levels. Methods: An experimental study was conducted on 30 pigs. ONSD was evaluated by ultrasound at different ICPs generated by intracranial balloon inflation, saline infusion, and balloon deflation, and measured using an intraventricular catheter. Results: All variables obtained by ONS ultrasonography such as left, right, and average ONSD (AON) were statistically significant to estimate the ICP value. ONSD changed immediately after balloon inflation and returned to baseline after an average delay of 30 min after balloon deflation (p = 0.016). No statistical significance was observed in the ICP and ONSD values with hypertonic saline infusion. In this swine model, ICP and ONSD showed linear correlation and ICP could be estimated using the formula: −80.5 + 238.2 × AON. Conclusion: In the present study, ultrasound to measure ONSD showed a linear correlation with ICP, although a short delay in returning to baseline levels was observed in the case of sudden ICH relief

A simplified experimental model of large-for-size liver transplantation in pigs

OBJECTIVE: The ideal ratio between liver graft mass and recipient body weight for liver transplantation in small infants is unknown; however, if this ratio is over 4%, a condition called large-for-size may occur. Experimental models of large-for-size liver transplants have not been described in the literature. In addition, orthotopic liver transplantation is marked by high morbidity and mortality rates in animals due to the clamping of the venous splanchnic system. Therefore, the objective of this study was to create a porcine model of large-for-size liver transplantation with clamping of the supraceliac aorta during the anhepatic phase as an alternative to venovenous bypass. METHOD: Fourteen pigs underwent liver transplantation with whole-liver grafts without venovenous bypass and were divided into two experimental groups: the control group, in which the weights of the donors were similar to the weights of the recipients; and the large-for-size group, in which the weights of the donors were nearly 2 times the weights of the recipients. Hemodynamic data, the results of serum biochemical analyses and histological examination of the transplanted livers were collected. RESULTS: The mortality rate in both groups was 16.5% (1/7). The animals in the large-for-size group had increased serum levels of potassium, sodium, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase after graft reperfusion. The histological analyses revealed that there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: This transplant method is a feasible experimental model of large-for-size liver transplantation

Pentoxifylline associated to hypertonic saline solution attenuates inflammatory process and apoptosis after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in rats

PURPOSE:To evaluate intestinal inflammatory and apoptotic processes after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, modulated by pentoxifylline and hypertonic saline.METHODS:It was allocated into four groups (n=6), 24 male Wistar rats (200 to 250g) and submitted to intestinal ischemia for 40 min and reperfusion for 80 min: IR (did not receive any treatment); HS group (Hypertonic Saline, 4ml/kg-IV); PTX group (Pentoxifylline, 30mg/kg-IV); HS+PTX group (Hypertonic Saline and Pentoxifylline). All animals were heparinized (100U/kg). At the end of reperfusion, ileal fragments were removed and stained on hematoxylin-eosin and histochemical studies for COX-2, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3.RESULTS:The values of sO2 were higher on treated groups at 40 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0081) and 80 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0072). Serum lactate values were lower on treated groups after 40 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0003) and 80 minutes of reperfusion (p=0.0098). Morphologic tissue injuries showed higher grades on IR group versus other groups: HS (p=0.0006), PTX (p=0.0433) and HS+PTX (p=0.0040). The histochemical study showed lesser expression of COX-2 (p=0.0015) and Bcl-2 (p=0.0012) on HS+PTX group. A lower expression of cleaved caspase-3 was demonstrated in PTX (p=0.0090; PTXvsIR).CONCLUSION:The combined use of pentoxifylline and hypertonic saline offers best results on inflammatory and apoptotic inhibitory aspects after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion.São Paulo University Medical SchoolUSP Medical SchoolFederal University of São Paulo Medical SchoolUSP School of MedicineUSP School of Medicine Department of SurgeryUSP Medical School Department of SurgeryUNIFESP, Medical SchoolSciEL

Novel ATP-Independent RNA Annealing Activity of the Dengue Virus NS3 Helicase

The flavivirus nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) bears multiple enzymatic activities and represents an attractive target for antiviral intervention. NS3 contains the viral serine protease at the N-terminus and ATPase, RTPase, and helicase activities at the C-terminus. These activities are essential for viral replication; however, the biological role of RNA remodeling by NS3 helicase during the viral life cycle is still unclear. Secondary and tertiary RNA structures present in the viral genome are crucial for viral replication. Here, we used the NS3 protein from dengue virus to investigate functions of NS3 associated to changes in RNA structures. Using different NS3 variants, we characterized a domain spanning residues 171 to 618 that displays ATPase and RNA unwinding activities similar to those observed for the full-length protein. Interestingly, we found that, besides the RNA unwinding activity, dengue virus NS3 greatly accelerates annealing of complementary RNA strands with viral or non-viral sequences. This new activity was found to be ATP-independent. It was determined that a mutated NS3 lacking ATPase activity retained full-RNA annealing activity. Using an ATP regeneration system and different ATP concentrations, we observed that NS3 establishes an ATP-dependent steady state between RNA unwinding and annealing, allowing modulation of the two opposing activities of this enzyme through ATP concentration. In addition, we observed that NS3 enhanced RNA-RNA interactions between molecules representing the ends of the viral genome that are known to be necessary for viral RNA synthesis. We propose that, according to the ATP availability, NS3 could function regulating the folding or unfolding of viral RNA structures

Hypertonic saline solution associated with pentoxifylline on ischemia and reperfusion by clamping the abdominal supraceliac aorta

INTRODUÇÃO: A reperfusão que segue um insulto isquêmico aumenta o dano tecidual, promove inflamação local e, conforme o território comprometido, pode desencadear resposta inflamatória sistêmica e progredir com disfunção de múltiplos órgãos. O intestino é particularmente vulnerável ao fenômeno de isquemia e reperfusão e tem sido implicado na gênese da resposta inflamatória sistêmica e da disfunção de múltiplos órgãos em pacientes graves. Os benefícios cardiovasculares, microcirculatórios e imunomoduladores da solução salina hipertônica a 7,5% (HS) e as propriedades hemorreológicas da pentoxifilina são atraentes para modular os efeitos nocivos da reperfusão. O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos metabólicos e hemodinâmicos (sistêmicos e regionais) da infusão da solução salina hipertônica 7,5% com pentoxifilina (HS+Ptx), em modelo experimental de isquemia e reperfusão, induzido pelo clampeamento da aorta supracelíaca em suinos. MÉTODOS: Trinta e um suínos mestiços, anestesiados e sob ventilação mecânica, foram randomizados em 4 grupos: grupo controle (n=8, sem tratamento), grupo ringer com lactato (n=7; 32ml/kg), grupo HS (n=8; 4ml/kg) e grupo HS+Ptx (n=8; 4ml/kg+25mg/kg). Foram submetidos a clampeamento da aorta supracelíaca durante 30 minutos, ocasião em que receberam o tratamento tendo sido observados por 240 minutos após reperfusão. As variáveis metabólicas e hemodinâmicas sistêmicas foram obtidas por meio de um cateter posicionado na aorta torácica, carótida direita e de um cateter de Swan-Ganz na artéria pulmonar. Para a avaliação regional, foram posicionados cateteres na veia porta e hepática e fluxômetros ultrassônicos ao redor da veia porta, artéria hepática e da veia renal direita. Os níveis de lactato e as variáveis de oxigenação sistêmica e regional foram obtidos com amostras de sangue arterial, venoso misto, hepático e porta. RESULTADOS: O clampeamento da aorta promoveu um estado hiperdinâmico sistêmico caracterizado por hipertensão, taquicardia, aumento do débito cardíaco (DC) e da oferta de oxigênio sistêmico com redução do consumo, da taxa de extração sistêmica de oxigênio e do gradiente venoarterial de CO2, com paradoxal aumento do lactato e redução do excesso de base. A súbita queda dos fluxos porta, hepático e renal foi acompanhada pela redução da oferta e do consumo com aumento da extração de oxigênio, do gradiente portaarterial de CO2 e do lactato regional. Em todos os grupos, a reperfusão foi caracterizada por hipotensão imediata e sustentada, retorno do DC aos valores iniciais, mas com progressivo aumento do gradiente veno arterial de CO2 e da taxa de extração sistêmica de oxigênio. Regionalmente, houve recuperação inicial dos fluxos com redução do gradiente porta-arterial de CO2 e da taxa de extração regional de oxigênio, seguido, por redução gradual dos fluxos com alargamento do gradiente e aumento da extração regional de oxigênio no decorrer do experimento. Durante a reperfusão, os níveis de lactato sistêmico e regional retornaram aos basais. CONCLUSÕES: A isquemia e a reperfusão da aorta supracelíaca promoveram significativas alterações hemodinâmicas sistêmicas e regionais semelhantes em todos os grupos. A expansão volêmica administrada durante a isquemia promoveu discretas e transitórias melhorias sistêmicas e regionais, semelhantes nos grupos tratados, mas não evitou a magnitude da hipotensão observada durante a reperfusão. Uma discutível vantagem da utilização de menores volumes nos grupos HS, um possível benefício adicional da pentoxifilina nos fluxos, assim como o melhor momento para a administração dos fluidos necessitam melhor investigaçãoINTRODUTION: Reperfusion, following an initial ischemic insult, increases tissue damage, causes inflammation and, depending on the affected area, can trigger the systemic inflammatory response and progress toward a multiple organ dysfunction. The intestine is particularly vulnerable to ischemia/reperfusion phenomena and has also been implicated in the genesis of systemic inflammatory syndrome and the syndrome of multiple organ dysfunctions in critically ill patients. The cardiovascular, microcirculatory and immunomodulatory systems benefit from the use of hypertonic saline solution at 7.5% (HS); the hemorheological properties of pentoxifylline are attractive to modulate the harmful effects of reperfusion. The present study evaluated the hemodynamic and metabolic effects (systemic and regional) of hypertonic 7.5% in association of hypertonic 7.5% with pentoxifylline (HS +Ptx) in experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by supraceliac aortic clamping in swines. METHODS: Thirty-one crossbred pigs, anesthetized and mechanically ventilated, were randomized into 4 groups: control group (n = 8, no treatment), lactate ringer\'s group (n = 7; 32ml/kg), HS group (n = 8; 4 ml/kg) and HS+Ptx group (n = 8; 4ml/Kg+25mg/kg); they were submitted to ischemia by supraceliac aortic clamping for 30 minutes. All groups received treatment during the clamping procedure and were observed for 240 minutes post reperfusion. The systemic hemodynamic and metabolic variables were obtained through catheters positioned in the thoracic aorta, the right carotid and through a Swan-Ganz catheter in the pulmonary artery. For a regional evaluation, catheters were placed in the portal and hepatic veins and ultrassonic flowmeters were placed around the portal vein, hepatic artery and right renal vein. Lactate levels and systemic and regional oxygenation variables were obtained with samples of arterial blood, hepatic, portal and mixed venous. RESULTS: The aortic clamping produced a systemic hyperdynamic state characterized by hypertension, tachycardia, increased cardiac output (CO) and systemic oxygen delivery with the reduction of consumption and systemic oxygen extraction rate and of venous-arterial CO2 gradient with a paradoxical increase in lactate and reduction of base excess. All animals presented a sudden reduction in portal, hepatic and renal flows with oxygen delivery and consumption reduction, increase in oxygen extraction and portal-arterial CO2 gradient, and regional hiperlactatemia. In all groups, reperfusion was characterized by an immediate and maintained hypotension, while CO returned to baseline values, but by a progressive increase in the venous-arterial CO2 gradient and by an increase in the systemic oxygen extraction rate. Regionally, there was an initial flow recovery with a decrease of portal arterial CO2 gradient and regional oxygen extraction rate, followed by a gradual decrease with an increase of gradient and of regional oxygen extraction during the experiment. During reperfusion, regional and systemic lactate levels returned to baseline values. CONCLUSION: Supraceliac aortic ischemia produced significant hemodynamic (systemic and regional) alterations, which were similar in all groups. The volemic expansion produced by infused fluids during ischemia promoted discrete and transitory systemic and regional improvements similar in all groups but unable to prevent the hypotension observed during reperfusion. A possible advantage of using smaller volumes in both HS groups, an equally possible additional Ptx benefit in regional blood flows, as well as the best time for fluids infusion remains to be investigated by further studie