A Novel Model of Balloon Angioplasty Injury in Rat Arteriovenous Fistula

Abstract

Background: There are very few animal models of balloon angioplasty injury in arteriovenous fistula (AVF), hindering insight into the pathophysiologic processes following angioplasty in AVF. The objective of the study was to develop and characterize a rat model of AVF angioplasty injury. Methods: Balloon angioplasty in 12-to 16-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats was performed at the arteriovenous anastomosis 14 days post-AVF creation with a 2F Fogarty balloon catheter. Morphometry and protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD68 (macrophage marker), and collagen expression in AVFs with and without angioplasty were assessed. Results: In AVFs with angioplasty versus without angioplasty: (1) angioplasty increased AVF-vein and artery intimal hyperplasia, (2) angioplasty decreased eNOS protein expression in AVFvein and artery at 21 days post-AVF creation and remained decreased in the AVF-vein angioplasty group at 35 days, (3) angioplasty increased AVF-vein and artery α-SMA expression within the intimal region at 35 days, (4) angioplasty increased the expression of AVF-vein MCP-1 at 21 days and CD68 at 21 and 35 days, and (5) angioplasty increased AVFvein and artery collagen expression at 35 days. Conclusion: Our findings describe a reproducible rat model to better understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms that ensue following AVF angioplasty.

Effects of arteriovenous fistulas and central venous catheters on the cardiac function and prognosis of patients on maintenance hemodialysis

“…Many clinical studies have shown that the most common causes for hospitalization of these patients are cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, infections and access complications. 25,26 In the current study, the hospitalization rate of patients with AVF was lower than that of patients with CVC (P<0.05), suggesting that patients undergoing MHD with CVC might have a poor prognosis. Our results are consistent with Almasri et al 27 It is plausible that despite optimized biocompatibility, the catheter still carries a high risk of infection and access related complications as a central venous foreign body.…”

The rodent models of arteriovenous fistula

“…The end of the FV was sutured to the side of the FA to form a femoral fistula, with an anastomotic length of approximately 2.5 mm. The suture was more consistent in structure than that used in human AVF (64,89). In a study by Langer, the average operation time was reduced to 27 min, all 15 rats survived, and the fistula patency rate was 93% at 12 weeks (17,53).…”

Evolving Strategies for Use of Phytochemicals in Prevention and Long-Term Management of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)

“…Both CO and bilirubin produced by HO-1 activity in the cells of cardiovascular tissue ameliorate a diverse range of cardiovascular pathologies due to the effect of these two degradation products on vascular tone [ 163 , 164 ]—along with the stabilization of K + and Na + ion membrane distribution [ 165 ]. Moreover, the regulatory effects of HO-1-generated bilirubin on the expression of ROS by NADPH oxidase has also been demonstrated to be cardioprotective as evidenced by the prolonged survival of mouse-to-rat cardiac xenografts, the inhibition of IR and balloon injury, and improved cardiac functions [ 163 , 166 , 167 ].…”