Microcomputed analysis of nerve angioarchitecture after combined stem cell delivery and surgical angiogenesis to nerve allograft.

INTRODUCTION: A detailed three-dimensional (3D) evaluation of microvasculature is evolving to be a powerful tool, providing mechanistic understanding of angiomodulating strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microvascular architecture of nerve allografts after combined stem cell delivery and surgical angiogenesis in a rat sciatic nerve defect model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 25 Lewis rats, sciatic nerve gaps were repaired with (i) autografts, (ii) allografts, (iii) allografts wrapped in a pedicled superficial inferior epigastric artery fascia (SIEF) flap to provide surgical angiogenesis, combined with (iv) undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and (v) MSCs differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells. At two weeks, vascular volume was measured using microcomputed tomography, and percentage and volume of vessels at different diameters were evaluated and compared with controls. RESULTS: The vascular volume was significantly greatest in allografts treated with undifferentiated MSCs and surgical angiogenesis combined as compared to all experimental groups (P<0.01 as compared to autografts, P<0.0001 to allografts, and P<0.05 to SIEF and SIEF combined with differentiated MSCs, respectively). Volume and diameters of vessel segments in nerve allografts were enhanced by surgical angiogenesis. These distributions were further improved when surgical angiogenesis was combined with stem cells, with greatest increase found when combined with undifferentiated MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between vascularity and stem cells remains complex, however, this study provides some insight into its synergistic mechanisms. The combination of surgical angiogenesis with undifferentiated MSCs specifically, results in the greatest increase in revascularization, size of vessels, and stimulation of vessels to reach the middle longitudinal third of the nerve allograft.

Sparteine increases insulin release by decreasing the K+ permeability of the B-cell membrane.

The effects of sparteine on the pancreatic B-cell function have been studied with mouse islets. In the presence of a non-stimulatory concentration of glucose (3 mM), sparteine (0.2-1 mM) decreased the rate of 86Rb+ efflux from islet cells, depolarized the B-cell membrane, induced a glucose-like electrical activity and stimulated insulin release. This increase in release was observed over a large range of glucose concentrations (3-20 mM), and was most marked in the presence of 10 mM glucose. At this concentration of glucose, the effect of sparteine was already detected with 0.02 mM and was maximal with 0.5 mM. Higher concentrations of sparteine only had a transient effect on insulin release. In the presence of 10 mM glucose, 0.2 mM sparteine decreased 86Rb+ efflux and increased 45Ca2+ efflux from islet cells. The effect on 86Rb+ efflux was only transient in the presence of extracellular calcium, whereas the effect on 45Ca2+ efflux required the presence of extracellular calcium. The electrical activity induced by glucose in B-cells was augmented by sparteine which, at a concentration of 0.5 mM, produced a persistent depolarization with continuous spike activity. The potentiation of insulin release by sparteine was not reversible, but was inhibited by adrenaline and completely blocked by omission of extracellular calcium. Sparteine reversed the increase in 86Rb+ efflux and the decrease in insulin release caused by diazoxide. These results show that sparteine increases insulin release by reducing the K+-permeability of the B-cell membrane.

Distinct effects of acetylcholine and glucose on 45calcium and 86rubidium efflux from mouse pancreatic islets.

The similarities between the effects of acetylcholine and glucose on phospholipid metabolism in pancreatic islet cells prompted the comparison of their effects on ionic fluxes. Acetylcholine (1 microM) consistently increased 45Ca2+ efflux from mouse islets, whereas glucose increased it in the presence, but decreased it in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Acetylcholine consistently accelerated 86Rb+ efflux, and this effect was augmented by Ca2+ omission. On the other hand, glucose markedly inhibited 86Rb+ efflux, except when its concentration was raised from 10 to 15 mM in the presence of Ca2+. Unlike their effects on phospholipid metabolism, the ionic effects of the two insulin-secretagogues are thus very different.

Intravenous nitroglycerin perfusion techniques--clinical implications.

Two types of intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) perfusion sets were studied using laboratory techniques. A known concentration of NTG was placed in each of these sets, and an evaluation was made as to the dose of NTG actually received by the patient after passage of the NTG solution through the sets. Set number one consisted of a glass container and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing. After passage through this set, there was a rapid and significant decrease in the NTG concentration, i.e. the dose actually received by the patient is less than the dose theoretically administered. Set number two consisted of a polypropylene syringe and polyethylene tubing. After passage through this set, there was no significant change in the NTG concentration, i.e. the patient receives the full theoretical dose.