Lyophilized allografts without pre-treatment with glutaraldehyde are more suitable than cryopreserved allografts for pulmonary artery reconstruction.

Various methods are available for preservation of vascular grafts for pulmonary artery (PA) replacement. Lyophilization and cryopreservation reduce antigenicity and prevent thrombosis and calcification in vascular grafts, so both methods can be used to obtain vascular bioprostheses. We evaluated the hemodynamic, gasometric, imaging, and macroscopic and microscopic findings produced by PA reconstruction with lyophilized (LyoPA) grafts and cryopreserved (CryoPA) grafts in dogs. Eighteen healthy crossbred adult dogs of both sexes weighing between 18 and 20 kg were used and divided into three groups of six: group I, PA section and reanastomosis; group II, PA resection and reconstruction with LyoPA allograft; group III, PA resection and reconstruction with CryoPA allograft. Dogs were evaluated 4 weeks after surgery, and the status of the graft and vascular anastomosis were examined macroscopically and microscopically. No clinical, radiologic, or blood-gas abnormalities were observed during the study. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) in group III increased significantly at the end of the study compared with baseline (P=0.02) and final [P=0.007, two-way repeat-measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA)] values. Pulmonary vascular resistance of groups II and III increased immediately after reperfusion and also at the end of the study compared to baseline. The increase shown by group III vs group I was significant only if compared with after surgery and study end (P=0.016 and P=0.005, respectively, two-way RM ANOVA). Microscopically, permeability was reduced by ≤75% in group III. In conclusion, substitution of PAs with LyoPA grafts is technically feasible and clinically promising.

Lyophilized allografts without pre-treatment with glutaraldehyde are more suitable than cryopreserved allografts for pulmonary artery reconstruction

Various methods are available for preservation of vascular grafts for pulmonary artery (PA) replacement. Lyophilization and cryopreservation reduce antigenicity and prevent thrombosis and calcification in vascular grafts, so both methods can be used to obtain vascular bioprostheses. We evaluated the hemodynamic, gasometric, imaging, and macroscopic and microscopic findings produced by PA reconstruction with lyophilized (LyoPA) grafts and cryopreserved (CryoPA) grafts in dogs. Eighteen healthy crossbred adult dogs of both sexes weighing between 18 and 20 kg were used and divided into three groups of six: group I, PA section and reanastomosis; group II, PA resection and reconstruction with LyoPA allograft; group III, PA resection and reconstruction with CryoPA allograft. Dogs were evaluated 4 weeks after surgery, and the status of the graft and vascular anastomosis were examined macroscopically and microscopically. No clinical, radiologic, or blood-gas abnormalities were observed during the study. The mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) in group III increased significantly at the end of the study compared with baseline (P=0.02) and final [P=0.007, two-way repeat-measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA)] values. Pulmonary vascular resistance of groups II and III increased immediately after reperfusion and also at the end of the study compared to baseline. The increase shown by group III vs group I was significant only if compared with after surgery and study end (P=0.016 and P=0.005, respectively, two-way RM ANOVA). Microscopically, permeability was reduced by ≤75% in group III. In conclusion, substitution of PAs with LyoPA grafts is technically feasible and clinically promising.

Tracheal cryopreservation: caspase-3 immunoreactivity in tracheal epithelium and in mixed glands

Cryopreservation has an immunomodulating effect on tracheal tissue as a result of class II antigen depletion due to epithelium exfoliation. However, not all epithelium is detached. We evaluated the role of apoptosis in the remaining epithelium of 30 cryopreserved tracheal grafts. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity of tracheal epithelium was studied in canine tracheal segments cryopreserved with F12K medium, with or without subsequent storage in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for 15 days. Loss of structural integrity of tracheal mixed glands was observed in all cryopreserved tracheal segments. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity in tracheal mucosa and in mixed glands was significantly decreased, in contrast to the control group and to cryopreserved tracheal segments in which it remained high, due to the effect of storage in liquid nitrogen (P < 0.05, ANOVA and Tukey test). We conclude that apoptosis can be triggered in epithelial cells during tracheal graft harvesting even prior to cryopreservation, and although the epithelial caspase-3 immunoreactivity is reduced in tracheal cryopreservation, this could be explained by increased cell death. Apoptosis cannot be stopped during tracheal cryopreservation.

Tracheal cryopreservation: caspase-3 immunoreactivity in tracheal epithelium and in mixed glands.

Cryopreservation has an immunomodulating effect on tracheal tissue as a result of class II antigen depletion due to epithelium exfoliation. However, not all epithelium is detached. We evaluated the role of apoptosis in the remaining epithelium of 30 cryopreserved tracheal grafts. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity of tracheal epithelium was studied in canine tracheal segments cryopreserved with F12K medium, with or without subsequent storage in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees C for 15 days. Loss of structural integrity of tracheal mixed glands was observed in all cryopreserved tracheal segments. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity in tracheal mucosa and in mixed glands was significantly decreased, in contrast to the control group and to cryopreserved tracheal segments in which it remained high, due to the effect of storage in liquid nitrogen (P < 0.05, ANOVA and Tukey test). We conclude that apoptosis can be triggered in epithelial cells during tracheal graft harvesting even prior to cryopreservation, and although the epithelial caspase-3 immunoreactivity is reduced in tracheal cryopreservation, this could be explained by increased cell death. Apoptosis cannot be stopped during tracheal cryopreservation.

[Effect of the hyaluronic acid on tracheal healing. A canine experimental mode]. / Efecto del ácido hialurónico sobre la cicatrización traqueal en un modelo experimental canino.

Several drugs have been used to modulate of the tracheal healing process in order to prevent tracheal stenosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a modulator of the fibrogenesis. In this work we evaluate the effect in order the application of hyaluronic acid has on tracheal healing, after cervical tracheoplasty in dogs. A cervical tracheal resection and tracheoplasty was performed in 12 dogs and they were treated following surgery as follows: Group I (n = 6) Topical application of normal saline solution (0.9%) on the anastomosis site. Group II Topical application of hyaluronic acid on the trachea anastomosed. The animals were evaluated clinical, radiological and tracheoscopically during 4 weeks and were submitted to euthanasia. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the tracheal anastomotic healing were evaluated. Biochemical collagen quantification by the Woessner method was performed to evaluate the collagen development at the anastomotic site. All the animals survived the surgical procedure and the study time. No animal presented differences in clinical evaluation. Radiological and endoscopical findings both two showed more development of the tracheal stenosis in-group than in group II. The tracheoscopy and macroscopic studies showed major inflammation and development of fibrotic tissue with a firm consistency in the healing of the group I than in group II. Microscopic examination in group I showed severe fibrosis and inflammatory reaction. The group II presented deposits of a thin and organized collagen fibers and minimal inflammatory reaction. Biochemical collagen concentration was larger in-group I, however significantly. We conclude that the hyaluronic acid applied after cervical tracheoplasty in dogs reduces postsurgical tracheal stenosis and inflammation, as well as improve the quality of the tracheal healing.

Suture-line reinforcement with glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium for nonanatomic resection of lung tissue.

In this study we assessed the usefulness of glutaraldehyde-preserved bovine pericardium (GPBP), preparated in our laboratory, in nonanatomic resection of lung tissue in dogs. A 30% resection of the right cranial lobe of the lung was performed in 18 mongrel dogs. The suture line was reinforced with GPBP strips. For group I (n = 6), the GPBP strips were fixed on the lung with nonabsorbable suture by thoracotomy. In Group II (n = 6), the resection and fixation of the GPBP strips were performed with an endoscopic linear stapler by thoracotomy. In Group III (n = 6), the resection and fixation of the GPBP strips were performed with a linear stapler by thoracoscopy. The animals were evaluated each day during the first week after surgery and every other day during the study time. At the end of the study all animals were euthanized with an overdose of pentobarbital. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the bioprosthesis and lung were evaluated. All animals survived the surgical procedure and study time (8 weeks). In the three groups, macroscopic examination of the bioprosthesis showed good adaptation to the lung tissue. Microscopically, all groups of animals presented good healing, with the presence of fibrotic tissue layer on the GPBP and its periphery as well as in the lung. However, in group I we observed the presence of giant cells in the suture line. GPBP proved to be a useful material for reinforcement of the nonanatomic resection suture line of lung tissue in dogs.

Effect of perfusion and preservation on IL1-beta, IL-6, and IL-10 production in murine lung.

We evaluated the production of the interleukins (ILs) IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 in both the vasculature and pulmonary tissue before and after 24 h of lung preservation. The cardiopulmonary blocs of 21 Balb-c mice were divided into three study groups (7 mice/group) and were flushed through the pulmonary artery with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (K-Hb) at 4 degrees C at a rate of 0.2 mL/min as follows: Group 1, lung washout: lungs were flushed until pulmonary effluent was clear. Group 2, perfusion: After lungs were flushed until pulmonary effluent was clear, lungs were perfused during 30 min. Group 3, preservation: Lungs were flushed until pulmonary effluent was clear, and the cardiopulmonary bloc was preserved immersed into (K-Hb) at 4 degrees C. After 24 h of preservation, lungs were reperfused during 30 min. In all study groups the caudal lobe from the left lung was taken for microscopical study; all other lobes were homogenized with (K-Hb) and the supernatant was obtained. IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 production in lung effluents (washout, perfusion, and reperfusion) and in lung tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the lung effluent, there was no statistical difference between IL-1beta and IL-6 concentrations. In all study groups, IL-10 production was significantly higher than IL-1beta and IL-6 levels. IL-10 level was lowest in the 24-h preservation group when it was compared to the other groups. In group 1, there was a negative correlation (r = -.599, p < .05) between IL-1beta and IL-10. In pulmonary tissue, IL-1beta was higher in group 2 when compared to groups 1 (p = .001) and 3 (p = .002), and it was significantly lower in group 3. IL-10 was lower in group 1 when compared to groups 2 (p = .001) and 3 (p = .004). In groups 1 and 2, IL-1beta was significantly higher than IL-6 and IL-10. In group 3, IL-10 was higher than IL-1beta (p = .0001) and IL-6 (p = .0001). Correlation of effluent/tissue index with histological findings showed a negative correlation between IL-10 effluent/tissue relation and inflammation (r = -.68, p < .01). In conclusion, the main cytokine found in lung effluents was IL-10, followed by IL-6 and IL-1beta. On the other hand, cytokine concentration in lung tissue homogenates was mainly due to the presence of IL-1beta. However, this cytokine shows a significant reduction in lung tissue after prolonged preservation.