Extracellular matrix plays an important role in maintaining organic structure and function, cellular proliferation and differentiation of normal aorta. Extracellular matrix proteolysis and remodeling of aortic wall resulting from degradation of matrix proteins characterize abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Matrix metalloproteinase and its inhibitor have been implicated as potentially important in this disease, and MMP/TIMP ratios may be the key of AAA formation and development. [

Renal artery aneurysms are rare and surgical intervention is difficult due to complicated anatomy.Endovascular techniques make it easier for vascular surgeons,but the long-term outcomes remain to be observed.This article reviews the current status,advancements and existing problems in diagnosis and treatment of renal artery aneurysms.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of combined subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) and Muller's phlebectomy for treatment of valvular insufficiency of the lower limbs by dividing perforating veins. Methods With ascending phlebography, insufficiency of perforating veins of the lower limbs were identified in 41 lower extremities with varicosity admitted from September 2005 to May 2006. In 31 limbs randomly chosen SEPS was performed to excise insufficient venous perforators under the deep fascia, combined with Muller's phlebectomy to strip the superficial varicose veins without encroaching on the great saphenous vein. In the same period, 10 diseased limbs, in which traditional great saphenous vein phlebectomy was performed to serve as controls. Results All the varicose veins disappeared postoperatively, with pigmentation lightened and ulcer healed. No recurrence was found after 5-11 months. Compared with the control group, the operation time, the number of sutures on the surgical wounds and hospital stay time were averagely decreased 1.5h, 4.3 and 4.8d, respectively (all P

Dynamic interactions between cells and underlying extracellular matrices are crucial for development, maintenance of cellular function, and response of tissure to injury and infection. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans(HSPG)are found in extracellular matrices and on the surface of most nuclrarated cells, and play critical roles in cell-cell and cell-matrix signal transduction by binding many molecules, such as growth factors and cytokines. Most of the biological properties of HSPG are conferred by heparan sulfate side chains, which can be degraded by heparanase. Changes of heparanase expression and activity may affect the biological processes above, which enables extravasation of inflammation cells, metastasis and neoangiogenesis of tumor cells invasion.

AIM:To study phenotypic changes of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in abdominal aortic aneurysmal (AAA) pathogenesis. METHODS: Tissue samples of human infrarenal aneurysmal and normal aorta(NA), and arterial occlusive diseases(AOD) were evaluated. Monoclonic antibodies of ?-smooth muscle actin(?-SMA), desmin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms (SM1, SM2 and SMemb) were used in immunohistochemistry to determine VSMC isoforms. Immunohistochemical results were analyzed with the use of computer-generated image technique. Ultrstructures of VSMC in three tissues above were observed by electron microscope. RESULTS: In control AOD and NA, VSMC in the media were strongly immunostained for ?-SMA, desmin, SM1 and SM2. Immunoreactivity for SMemb was faint or weakly positive in AOD, but negative in NA. In AAA,the balance shifts to SMemb predominance with suppressed ?-SMA, SM1 and SM2 and negative desmin, while in ruptured aneurysmal walls, the expression of SM2 and SMemb were decreased compared with the non-ruptured aneurysmal walls. CONCLUSION:Phenotypic changes of VSMC are concerned with abdominal aortic structure lesion and remodeling, which contributes to AAA formation and development.

Objective To evaluate heparanase inhibitor PI-88 in the inhibition of abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA) formation. Methods A guinea pig-to-SD rat transplantation model of AAA was established for the observation of therapeutic effects of PI-88 given by continuously administration within 4 weeks after abdominal aortic transplantation. Abdominal aortic diameter, the degree of inflammatory infiltration, microvessel density and the expression of heparanase were determined by immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis. Results In contrast to the positive controls, the diameter and inflammatory cell infiltration of graft decreased remarkably after administrating PI-88, and the expression of heparanase and microvessel density decreased accordingly, although still upregulated when compared with negative control. Conclusions PI-88 could prevent formation of AAA by inhibiting heparanase activation.

Extracellular matrix plays an important role in maintaining organic structure and function, cellular proliferation and differentiation of normal aorta. Extracellular matrix proteolysis and remodeling of aortic wall resulting from degradation of matrix proteins characterize abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Matrix metalloproteinase and its inhibitor have been implicated as potentially important in this disease, and MMP/TIMP ratios may be the key of AAA formation and development.

To investigate the contents and distribution of matrix metallproteinases(MMP) in abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA) on protein level, forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, the rats of experimental group were perfused with pancreatic elastase in the isolated abdominal aorta to construct the model of AAA. Laparotomy was preformed on the 14th day after operation, the aortas were measured and harvested. The rats of control group were operated with the aortas harvested immediately. Immunohistochemical staining and computer image analysis were performed to analyze the contents and distribution of MMP 2 and MMP 9. The aortic diameter progressed to aneurysmal dimension in the experimental group. Immunohistochemistry study revealed that the MMP contents in AAA exceeded that in normal aorta obviously. The MMP 2 cotents in AAA tunica media were higher than MMP 9. It is suggested that MMP 2 plays the main role in extracellular matrix degradation of AAA tunica media.

To explore the pathogenesis and treatment of fever, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia after endovascular graft exclusion for aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, 67 patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm (38) and thoracic aortic dissection (29),were studied,and then received successful endovascular graft exclusion with Dacron covered stent grafts. Sepsis syndrome evaluation (physical examination, analysis of peripheral blood WBC, platelet and urine, chest radiograph, urine and blood cultures) was performed for all patients with postoperative temperature(T) higher than 38 5℃. Fever, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia in peripheral blood were found in most patients, whose T, WBC and platelet returned to normal between 1 and 2 weeks. Sepsis evaluations failed to identify any source of infection in all patients. These results showed that fever and leukocytosis after endovascular stent graft repair for aortic aneurysm are resulted from systemic inflammatory response syndrome.