Progression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm is mitigated by statins

Segmental and age differences in the elastin network, collagen, and smooth muscle phenotype in the tunica media of the porcine aorta

“…Examples of studies using porcine aorta as a model for the human aorta comprise models of aortic coarctation (Hu et al, 2008), post-vagotomy remodeling (Sokolis et al, 2005), thoracic sympathectomy (Angouras et al, 2012), and models of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (Hynecek et al, 2007;Molacek et al, 2009;Houdek et al, 2013). Porcine models of AAA are used for the introduction of mesenchymal stem cells into aortic injury (Turnbull et al, 2011), simulation of ruptured AAA repair (Suk et al, 2012), testing of endovascular repair techniques (Lederman et al, 2014), and stent grafts (Saari et al, 2012).…”

“…VSMCs can modulate their phenotype from contractile (more actin and desmin) to synthesis (less actin and desmin, more vimentin, and higher proliferative activity) (Miyazaki et al, 2002;Owens et al, 2004;Boccardi et al, 2007). Actin, desmin, and vimentin can be detected in both porcine and human aortic samples using the same antibodies, their immunopositivity is robust and therefore easily to be quantified Houdek et al, 2013;Eberlova et al, 2013). The Advanced models of the aortic wall are currently able to link the macroscopic mechanical behavior of the whole arteries with the cytoskeletal filaments of individual VSMCs (Unterberger et al, 2013).…”

Segmental differences in the orientation of smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of porcine aortae

“…f The mean angle was higher in the suckling pigs than in the weaners, but comparable between all the other groups. All data are presented as the median values with boxes spanning the upper limits of the first and third quartiles and with whiskers spanning the minimum and maximum values for each group of the aorta (e.g., Houdek et al 2013;Kochová et al 2012) can be used, and artifacts can be avoided without biasing the tracking. Moreover, the sections are not completely artifactfree for manual tracking.…”

“…Aortae were harvested from juvenile domestic pigs of the age range that is most often used for experimental and model approaches (Molácek et al 2009;Houdek et al 2013;Witter et al 2010). The animals (commercial fattening hybrids, n = 17; 9 males, 6 females, 1 castrated male, 1 without documented sex; age 5-210 days; weight 0.7-90 kg) were euthanized during other experiments (Ondrovics et al 2013;Gabner et al 2012;Worliczek et al 2010).…”

“…The porcine aorta is considered a suitable animal model of the human aorta in terms of its size, anatomical proportions, wall structure, thickness, mechanical properties, and surgical and preparation techniques and is currently used in cardiovascular surgery and biomechanics. Examples for the use of the porcine aorta as a model include experimental studies on aortic aneurysms (Molácek et al 2009;Sarda-Mantel et al 2012b;Houdek et al 2013), and vascular and valve prostheses including stent grafts (Johnson et al 2013;Funder et al 2012;Saari et al 2012a), aortic dissection Dziodzio et al 2011), mechanical inflation response, and pressure-strain moduli (Lillie et al 2012; Baek 2011).…”