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Sustained Axial Loading Lengthens Arteries in Organ Culture

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Abstract

Although it has been recognized for many years that arteries in vivo exist under significant axial strain, studies of the adaptation of arteries to elevated axial strain have only recently been conducted. To determine the effects of sustained elevation of axial loading on arterial structure and function, axial stresses of 250 kPa or greater were applied to porcine common carotid arteries maintained in a perfusion organ culture system for 7 days at physiologic pressure and flow conditions. Our results demonstrated that axial stretch could lead to an increase in unloaded length that was proportional to the axial stretch ratio (stretched length divided by unloaded length) when the axial stretch ratio was above a threshold value of 2.14. Below this threshold, no significant length change occurred. Above this threshold, a significant increase in unloaded length (13 ± %,) and the number of smooth muscle cell nuclei (20 ± 7%) was observed. Permanent length change was associated with a significant decrease in axial stiffness, and the maximum elongation achieved was limited by rupture of the arterial wall. All tested arteries demonstrated good viability and strong vasomotor responses. These results show that arteries in organ culture can elongate under sustained axial loading.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332

    N. Peter Davis, Hai-Chao Han, Brian Wayman & Raymond Vito

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249

    Hai-Chao Han

  3. 1507 Slauson Ln., Unit A, Redondo Beach, CA, 90278

    N. Peter Davis

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  1. N. Peter Davis
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Correspondence to N. Peter Davis.

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Davis, N.P., Han, HC., Wayman, B. et al. Sustained Axial Loading Lengthens Arteries in Organ Culture. Ann Biomed Eng 33, 867–877 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-005-3488-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-005-3488-x

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