Artery Research

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Volume 7, Issue 3-4, September 2013, Pages 121 - 121

P2.09 CHEMICAL FIXATION ALTERS THE MACRO- AND MICRO-STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE COMMON CAROTID ARTERY

Authors
L.A. Walton1, M.J. Sherratt2, J.K. Cruickshank3, R. Akhtar4, B. Derby5, C. Austin1
1Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
2Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Manchester Academic and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
3Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, School of Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
4Centre for Materials and Structures, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
5School of Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Available Online 11 November 2013.
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2013.10.071How to use a DOI?
Abstract

Background: Arterial stiffening is an important predictor of cardiovascular risk. In order to identify the pathogenic mechanisms it is necessary to characterise arterial micro-structure and –mechanical properties. Here, we test the hypothesis that chemical fixation (employed in microscopical preparation regimens) may adversely influence arterial structure and stiffness.

Methods: Common carotid arteries (CCA) from young male Wistar rats (225–250g, n=4) were excised. Gross stiffness was determined by wire myography for arterial segments untreated (CON), pre-treated by paraformaldehyde fixation (4%)(FIX) or snap frozen (FRZ). Cryo-sections 5μm thick were prepared from bisected fixed (FIX) or untreated (CON), frozen CCA. Acoustic wave speed (related to tissue elastic modulus) was then characterised by scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) whilst vessel morphology was quantified from H&E stained sections.

Results: Fixation increased both medial layer thickness (CON 38±3, FIX 55±10 μm, P<0.05) and lamellar spacing (CON 11±4, FIX 15±6 μm, P<0.05) but had no effect on lumen diameter (CON 331±2, FIX 314±29 μm, P>0.05). Fixation significantly increased incremental elastic modulus whilst freezing alone had no effect (CON 0.86±0.15, FIX 1.39±0.10, FRZ 0.99±0.04μm, P<0.05). SAM demonstrated increased stiffness with fixation (CON 1697±21, FIX 1776±32 ms−1, P<0.05) which was pronounced within the inter-lamellar regions (inter-lamellar CON 1629±9, FIX 1678±10 ms−1 P<0.05).

Conclusions: The chemical fixation steps commonly used in microscopical preparation regimens can induce localised changes in the structure and stiffness of arterial compartments. We suggest therefore that cryo-preservation, which preserves the gross-mechanical behaviour of the intact artery, may also maintain the micro-structural and micro-mechanical characteristics of the vessel.

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<Previous Article In Issue
Next Article In Issue>
Journal
Artery Research
Volume-Issue
7 - 3-4
Pages
121 - 121
Publication Date
2013/11/11
ISSN (Online)
1876-4401
ISSN (Print)
1872-9312
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2013.10.071How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - JOUR
AU  - L.A. Walton
AU  - M.J. Sherratt
AU  - J.K. Cruickshank
AU  - R. Akhtar
AU  - B. Derby
AU  - C. Austin
PY  - 2013
DA  - 2013/11/11
TI  - P2.09 CHEMICAL FIXATION ALTERS THE MACRO- AND MICRO-STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE COMMON CAROTID ARTERY
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - 121
EP  - 121
VL  - 7
IS  - 3-4
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2013.10.071
DO  - 10.1016/j.artres.2013.10.071
ID  - Walton2013
ER  -