Figure 1
Surgical procedure. (A) Internal jugular vein, common carotid artery, and external jugular vein of rabbit. (B) Vein dilatated with hydraulic pressure. (C) Vein dilatated with hydraulic pressure (close-up). (D) Successfully constructed fistula.
Table 1
Baseline data for rabbits in experimental and control groups.
| Hydraulic expansion (n = 6) | Control (n = 6) | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg) | 2.2 ± 0.1 | 2.26 ± 0.11 |
| Dose 1% pentobarbital (mL) | 8.67 ± 1.44 | 7.38 ± 0.88 |
| Operating time (min) | 150 ± 20* | 84 ± 20.8 |
| Artery diameter, preoperative (mm) | 1.73 ± 0.18 | 1.8 ± 0.21 |
| Vein diameter, preoperative (mm) | 2.73 ± 0.51 | 2.48 ± 0.65 |
Table 2
Diameter of fistula vein after AVF surgery in rabbits
| Postoperative day | Hydraulic expansion (n = 6) Diameter (mm) | Control (n = 6) Diameter (mm) | F | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline (0) | 4.34 ± 0.50 | 2.80 ± 0.57 | 6.79 | 0.02* |
| 1 | 4.02 ± 0.58 | 3.01 ± 0.18 | 7.87 | 0.03* |
| 2 | 3.92 ± 0.91 | 3.34 ± 0.26 | 0.97 | 0.53 |
| 3 | 5.12 ± 1.30 | 4.36 ± 0.86 | 1.72 | 0.28 |
| 7 | 4.93 ± 0.52 | 4.17 ± 0.51 | 1.94 | 0.22 |
| 14 | 5.19 ± 1.04 | 4.18 ± 0.52 | 0.99 | 0.51 |
| 21 | 4.52 ± 0.29 | 4.39 ± 0.28 | 0.95 | 0.52 |
Figure 2
Histology. (A) Venous wall before dilation. (B) Venous wall after dilation. (C) Changes of fistula vein in control group 3 weeks after operation. (D) changes of fistula vein in hydraulic expansion group 3 weeks after operation (all panels HE staining, ×200; scale bars represent 50 μm). HE, hematoxylin and eosin.
Figure 3
Expression of TGF-β1 immunoreactivity in vein (A) before surgery, (B) fistula vein in control group 3 weeks after surgery, (C) fistula vein in hydraulic expansion group 3 weeks after surgery. Expression of CTGF immunoreactivity in vein (D) before surgery, (E) fistula vein in control group 3 weeks after surgery, (F) fistula vein in hydraulic expansion group 3 weeks after surgery. (DAB staining of immunocomplexes, ×200; scale bars represent 50 μm). CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; DAB, diaminobenzidine; TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-β1.
Table 3
Intimal thickness and immunohistochemistry score 3 weeks after surgery
| Hydraulic expansion (n = 6) | Control (n = 6) | F4,11 | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intimal thickness (mm) | 39.20 ± 3.78 | 39.34 ± 1.91 | 0.95 | 0.51 |
| Expression of TGF-β1 (score) | 4.32 ± 0.31 | 5.32 ± 0.91 | 0.60 | 0.71 |
| Expression of CTGF (score) | 3.70 ± 0.05 | 4.90 ± 0.09 | 7.87 | 0.01* |
[i] CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-β1.