ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intima-to-intima microanastomotic vascular remodeling was explored, utilizing a polylactide-caprolactone absorbable vein coupler model (PAVCM), which was designed to simulate a non-absorbable counterpart system with the sole exception of being absorbable. METHODS: Six New Zealand white rabbits were used. After transection of the jugular vein, 2 PAVCMs were placed, 1 at each transected end. The stumps were slipped through the PAVCMs, and the venous wall was everted 90° to achieve intima-to-intima contact. Reanastomosis of the transected jugular vein was performed bilaterally in 3 rabbits. In the other 3 rabbits, the jugular vein (20 mm) harvested from one side was interpositionally grafted to the jugular vein on the opposite side to ease the anastomotic tension. Patency testing, ultrasonography, and histologic assessments were conducted postoperatively at weeks 2, 4, 12, 16, 22, and 26. RESULTS: All anastomotic sites were patent, without stenosis, occlusion, or dilatation. In the histologic sections, immature endothelial regeneration was observed at week 2, which was completed by week 4. Regeneration of the tunica media was noted at week 12. Between week 22 and week 26, the tunica media fully regenerated and the coupler dissipated entirely. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the absence of a coupler to act as an anastomotic buttress, the structure and function of all the vessels appeared normal, even histologically. These outcomes are true milestones in the development of an absorbable vein coupler.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an association between body fat distribution, blood lipid profiles, and beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism in Korean middle-aged women. Subjects were grouped according to BMI as obese (> or = 5 BMI, n = 95) or non-obese (BMI<25, n = 93). The Trp64Arg mutation of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene was detected by PCR-RFLP. Skinfold thickness, body circumference, intra-abdominal fat area by CT, and blood lipid profiles were also measured. Data were compared using ANOVA, Bonferroni t-test, and Chi-square. Significance for statistical analyses were set at p<0.05. In the obese group, 63.16% were Trp64Trp homozygotes and 36.84% were Trp64Arg heterozygotes, compared to 80.65% who were Trp64Trp homozygotes and 19.35% who were Trp64Arg heterozygotes in the non-obese group. These results indicated a significant (chi-square = 4.943, p<0.05) difference between the two groups. Frequency of the Arg64 allele in the obese group (16.84%) showed a significant (chi-square = 4.185, p<0.05) difference as compared to the non-obese group (9.68%). Skinfold thickness and body circumference of the Trp64Arg heterozygote group showed a consistent increase as compared to the Trp64Trp homozygote group. Visceral fat area and VSR of Trp64Arg heterozygote group showed a higher tendency than Trp64Trp homozygotes in the obese group, but these differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene is associated with obesity in middle-aged Korean women, but it is difficult to suggest the prominent association of the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene with prevalence of abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia in Korean middle-aged women.
