A System to Evaluate the Effect of Stress on Arterial Remodeling : Development of an Organ Culture System and its Implementation in Studying the Effects of Stress on Arterial Remodeling

ISBN-13: 9783836491051 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 156 str.

Zachary Dominguez

Opis

Arterial remodeling is a process by which arteriesrespond to sustained changes in their mechanicalenvironment. This process occurs in a way such thatan artery s local mechanical environment(circumferential, shear, and axial stress) ismaintained at a homeostatic level. However, moststudies utilize a methodology that controls theglobal parameters (pressure, flow rate, and axialstretch). This approach often confounds the resultssince the actual drivers of remodeling are notindependently isolated.The results of this study demonstrate the ability ofa novel organ culture system to achieve and maintaintarget values of stress throughout the cultureperiod. Cell viability, general arterial morphology,and collagen synthesis rates were maintained for allarteries. The elevated axial stress appeared tocause a softening of the artery in both the axial andcircumferential direction. It was hypothesized thatthis softening was the result of a changing collagenstructure. Additional softening seen in arteries wasattributed to the effects of the culture system.

O autorze

Zachary Dominguez graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute
in 2006 (B.S.M.E.) and from Georgia Institute of Technology
(M.S.M.E.) in 2008. He is currently working in the medical
device industry as a mechanical engineer.