Increase In Wall Shear Rate Research Articles

Ultrasound Assessment of Flow-Mediated Dilation of the Brachial and Superficial Femoral Arteries in Rats

Arterial vasodilation to increases in wall shear rate is indicative of vascular endothelial function. In humans, the non-invasive measurement of endothelial function can be achieved by employing the flow-mediated dilation technique, typically performed in the brachial or superficial femoral artery. Briefly, a blood pressure cuff placed distal to an ultrasound probe is inflated to a suprasystolic pressure, which results in limb ischemia. After 5 min of occlusion the cuff is deflated, resulting in reactive hyperemia and increases in wall shear rate that signal vasodilatory molecules to be released from the endothelium eliciting vasodilation. Despite the thousands of studies performing flow-mediated dilation in humans, surprisingly, no studies have performed this technique non-invasively in living rats. Considering the recent shift in focus to translational research, the establishment of guidelines for non-invasive measurement of flow-mediated dilation in rats and other rodents would be extremely valuable. In the following article, a protocol is presented for the non-invasive measurement of flow-mediated dilation in brachial and superficial femoral arteries of rats, as those sites are most commonly measured in humans.

Therapeutic Amelioration of Vaso-Occlusion and Blood Flow Impairment in Transgenic Sickle Mice By the Antioxidant Flavonoid Quercetin

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by painful vaso-occlusive crises, which are, at least in part, due to an interaction of the sickle RBC (sRBC) with the vascular endothelium. Abnormal red blood cells (RBCs) impair blood flow and contribute to microcirculatory complications. Oxidative stress and/or oxidants generated via hemoglobin S (HbS) auto-oxidation play a vital role in the vaso-occlusive event in SCD. Antioxidant therapy mediated free radical scavenging and attenuation of oxidative stress may reduce red cell sickling and be beneficial for SCD. Several studies have described an antioxidant effect of flavonoids on the attenuation of free radical mediated biological membrane damage and the consumption of flavonoids reduces the prevalence of vascular diseases. Among flavonoids, quercetin (QUE) pentahydroxy flavone is the major representative. In vitro, QUE is a strong antioxidant with alkoxyl and peroxy radical scavenging ability. Due to the high susceptibility of sickle RBC to oxidation, QUE could be a useful therapy for SCD. Based on this concept, we examined the potential effect of QUE to improve microvascular function in a murine model of SCD.Methods: To confirm the protective effect of quercetin in vivo, we used Berkeley (Berk) sickle transgenic mice which express exclusively human α- and βS-globins with low levels of γ-globin (∼ 3-5%) generated by Paszty et al 1997. C57BL /6J were used as control wild type. We injected a single dose of QUE at different concentrations (50, 100, 200mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally under normoxic conditions. Three hours after QUE administration, in vivo intra-vital microscopic observation of post-capillary venules in cremaster muscle was performed. The luminal diameters of the venules (∼ 20-40 µm diameter), centerline red blood cell velocity (Vrbc), adherent, emigrated and rolling leukocytes were measured by the technique described by Kaul et al 2004. Wall shear rate was calculated by Lipowsky et al, 1980.Results: QUE treatment restored blood flow, as evidenced by complete disappearance of vaso-occlusion in the postcapillary venules of Berk mice (Figure 1). However, no significant differences in venular diameter were noted with QUE treatment at any of the dose levels tested (50, 100, 200mg/kg) when compared to untreated Berk and wild type mice. But, when compared to untreated Berk mice, a significant increase in the RBC velocity was demonstrated in a dose dependent fashion (treated: 1.74 ±1.3 mm/sec, 3.02± 1.2 mm/sec, 3.4±0.90 mm/sec for 50, 100, 200 mg/kg dosing respectively vs. untreated 1.01± 1.05mm/sec, p<0.05). A dose of 200 mg level completely neutralized the vaso-occlusion. Increases in wall shear rate (650.01± 252.05 s-1 vs. 180.12± 165.02 s-1, p<6.03x10-6) was also observed in QUE treated vs. untreated Berk. This improvement of blood flow in the postcapillary venules correlated well with observed decreases in leukocyte adhesion (Figure 2A) and leukocyte emigration (Figure 2B) in QUE treated Berk mice (for doses 50, 100, and 200mg/kg) when compared to untreated Berk mice. Leukocyte rolling was also decreased for doses 100 and 200mg/kg (p<0.007, p<0.0002 respectively) after treatment with QUE when compared to untreated Berk and wild type. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] [Display omitted] Conclusion: We observed an improvement in RBC velocity and wall shear rate, as well as a complete attenuation of leukocyte adhesion, rolling and emigration at the highest dose of QUE treated transgenic sickle Berk mice. We suggest that these effects may be due to a decreased sickle RBC interaction with the vascular bed. Our present data provide a strong basis for the therapeutic application of flavonoids in SCD. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanism of action in vivo for therapeutic effect in SCD. DisclosuresThangaswamy:AMI Life Sciences Private Ltd: Drug supplied Other. Billett:Selexys Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.

Thrombin Flux and Wall Shear Rate Regulate Fibrin Fiber Deposition State during Polymerization under Flow

Thrombin is released as a soluble enzyme from the surface of platelets and tissue-factor-bearing cells to trigger fibrin polymerization during thrombosis under flow conditions. Although isotropic fibrin polymerization under static conditions involves protofibril extension and lateral aggregation leading to a gel, factors regulating fiber growth are poorly quantified under hemodynamic flow due to the difficulty of setting thrombin fluxes. A membrane microfluidic device allowed combined control of both thrombin wall flux (10−13 to 10−11 nmol/μm2 s) and the wall shear rate (10–100 s−1) of a flowing fibrinogen solution. At a thrombin flux of 10−12 nmol/μm2 s, both fibrin deposition and fiber thickness decreased as the wall shear rate increased from 10 to 100 s−1. Direct measurement and transport-reaction simulations at 12 different thrombin flux-wall shear rate conditions demonstrated that two dimensionless numbers, the Peclet number (Pe) and the Damkohler number (Da), defined a state diagram to predict fibrin morphology. For Da < 10, we only observed thin films at all Pe. For 10 < Da < 900, we observed either mat fibers or gels, depending on the Pe. For Da > 900 and Pe < 100, we observed three-dimensional gels. These results indicate that increases in wall shear rate quench first lateral aggregation and then protofibril extension.

Heparin Impairs Glycocalyx Barrier Properties and Attenuates Shear Dependent Vasodilation in Mice

The endothelial glycocalyx is a hydrated mesh of polysaccharides and adsorbed plasma proteins that forms the true interface between the flowing blood and the endothelium. We hypothesized in the present study that competitive binding of heparin to glycocalyx-associated proteins would affect glycocalyx barrier properties and mechanotransduction of shear stress to the endothelium. In anesthetized mice, the clearance of 70-kDa dextrans from the circulation was increased (P<0.05 versus saline) 1 hour after heparin (1.25 U) and glycocalyx degradation with hyaluronidase (35 U; amount cleared in 30 minutes after saline: 11+/-5%; after heparin: 45+/-8%; after hyaluronidase: 30+/-3%). Clearance of 40-kDa dextrans increased (P<0.05 versus saline) to a lesser extent after both treatments (saline: 46+/-3%; heparin: 60+/-5%; hyaluronidase: 60+/-2%). The dilator response of second-order arterioles in cremaster muscle during reactive hyperemia was reduced for < or =90 minutes after heparin as reflected by a decrease (P=0.008) in t(50) of diameter recovery, and this effect was associated with a diminished NO bioavailability. Infusion of hyaluronidase resulted in reductions (P<0.05) in baseline and peak reactive hyperemic diameter, whereas, despite an increase in wall shear rate at the beginning of reactive hyperemia, t(50) of diameter recovery was not affected. In conclusion, our data in mice show that a heparin challenge is associated with increased vascular leakage of dextrans and impaired arteriolar vasodilation during reactive hyperemia. Our data suggest that protein-heparan sulfate interactions are important for a functional glycocalyx.

Human Saphenous Vein Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Morphology, Geometry and Hemodynamics

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) failure has been linked to graft hemodynamics, in particular wall shear stress. This study characterizes the morphology, geometry and wall shear stress patterns in human CABGs. The intimal thickness (IT) in 49 human saphenous vein CABGs was measured by digital light microscopy. The geometry of six saphenous vein CABGs was replicated by post-mortem infusion of Batson's #17 anatomical corrosion casting compound. Graft hemodynamics were evaluated in two flow models, fabricated from the casts, under steady (Re = 110) and pulsatile flow (Re = 110, alpha = 2) conditions. Saphenous vein CABGs in situ for more than 2 months had, on average, the greatest IT on the hood and suture sites of the distal anastomosis. Floor thickening was highly variable and significantly less than IT at the hood, suture site and graft body. All casts showed an indentation along the floor and 5/6 casts displayed a sharp local curvature on the hood. In both flow models, a large increase in wall shear rate occurred on the hood, just proximal to the toe. The local geometry of the hood created this large spatial gradient in wall shear stress which is a likely factor in hood intimal hyperplasia.

Impairment of Flow-Induced Dilation of Skeletal Muscle Arterioles with Elevated Oxygen in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats

The effects of elevated PO2 on flow-induced dilation of in situ skeletal muscle arterioles was assessed in cremaster muscle preparations from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blood flow increases in selected arterioles were initiated by occlusion of a parallel daughter branch from a parent arteriole. Changes in the diameter of the perfused arteriole were measured with a video micrometer and erythrocyte velocity was measured using optical Doppler velocimetry. Superfusate PO2 was controlled by changing the O2 concentration (0% O2 or 21% O2) of the equilibration gas mixture. The increase in arteriolar diameter during occlusion was reduced in SHR compared to WKY rats, resulting in an elevated wall shear rate in SHR. Elevated PO2 decreased flow-induced dilation in both groups and increased wall shear rate during parallel occlusion. An inhibitor of the formation of 20-HETE via cytochrome P450-4A enzymes (P450), dibromododecenyl methylsulfimide, minimized O2-induced constriction of arterioles and prevented the O2-induced decrease in flow-induced dilation and the increase in wall shear rate in both SHR and WKY rats. These results suggest that: (1) flow-induced dilation of in situ skeletal muscle arterioles is impaired in SHR compared to WKY, (2) elevated O2 compromises flow-induced dilation in both groups, (3) 20-HETE contributes to both the O2-induced increases in resting tone and the reduced flow-induced dilation of cremasteric arterioles with elevated PO2.

Complement activation by cellulose: investigation of the effects of time, area, flow rate, shear rate and temperature on C3a generation in vitro, using a parallel plate flow cell.

The development and utilization of a parallel plate flow system to study the blood response to flat sheet biomaterials, is described. Unlike most other parallel plate flow systems, which have been used to study cellular interactions with biomaterials, the controlled flow test cell described below employs the test materials on both sides of the channel through which the blood flows. The flow cell is used to conduct an investigation into the in vitro generation of C3a by a regenerated cellulose membrane, Cuprophan. The effects of experimental variables such as temperature, blood flow rate, contact area and wall shear rate on C3a generation by Cuprophan were studied. The results show that C3a generation by Cuprophan is lower at 12 degrees C than at 22 degrees C, which is in turn lower than C3a generation at 37 degrees C. Furthermore, a decrease in contact area, and increase in wall shear rate and blood flow rate, can produce a decrease in C3a concentration.

Early collateral and microvascular adaptations to intestinal artery occlusion in rat.

The technique to repeatedly observe exactly the same vessels in the rat intestine was used to investigate vascular compensation during the 1st wk after abrupt arterial ligation. A collateral-dependent tissue region was created by ligation of three to four sequential intestinal arteries. At the center of the collateral-dependent region, arterial pressure decreased from 96 +/- 3.7 to 29 +/- 2.5 mmHg, and intestinal blood flow fell approximately 80% during maximal dilation initially postligation. One week later, pressure and blood flow at the center had increased 31 and 250%, respectively. Relative to preligation values, the only compensatory adaptation was an enlargement (31 +/- 11%) of the collateral arteries located between normal tissue and the center; no increase was observed in the diameter or numbers of arterioles or collateral arteries at the center. Wall shear rate was increased 173 +/- 35% initially postligation at the site where luminal enlargement occurred. The selective enlargement of collateral arteries away from the center region is consistent with the hypothesis that collateral enlargement is induced by chronic increases in wall shear rate and can occur independently of tissue ischemia.

Endothelial regulation of wall shear stress and blood flow in skeletal muscle microcirculation

In the presence of intact endothelium, in control conditions, calculated wall shear rate (WSR) (means +/- SE: 2,658 +/- 123 s-1; n = 21) was independent of arteriolar diameter (16.2-27.2 microns; correlation coefficient: r = 0.12, P greater than 0.05) in cremaster muscle of pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. An increase in blood flow velocity (due to parallel arteriolar occlusion) elicited a significant increase in WSR (to 4,981 +/- 253 s-1) followed by a delayed (6-15 s) increase in diameter (from: 22.5 +/- 0.6 to 29.5 +/- 0.8 microns), which consequently resulted in a significant decrease in WSR (to 3,879 +/- 203 s-1). As a result of the increased flow velocity and dilation, calculated arteriolar blood flow increased by 230%. After impairment of the endothelium of arterioles by a light-dye technique, basal WSR became significantly higher (3,604 +/- 341 s-1), and despite a greater increase in WSR (10,360 +/- 1,471 s-1) the dilation was absent. Now an inverse linear correlation was found between arteriolar diameter and WSR both before (r = 0.58, P less than 0.05) and during increased flow velocity conditions (r = 0.85, P less than 0.05). Also, arteriolar blood flow that was already less after impairment of endothelium increased by only 66% during the period of increased flow velocity due to the absence of dilation. Results suggest that an increase in wall shear stress is the stimulus for the endothelium-dependent mechanism that elicits "flow dependent" arteriolar dilation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Behavior of model particles and blood cells at spherical obstructions in tube flow

The effects of vessel obstructions on circulating blood cells were modeled using dilute suspensions of microspheres, red cells and platelets flowing past spherical obstructions in 0.79–1.27-mm glass tubes. Rapid acceleration of the fluid at the obstruction resulted in a large increase in wall shear rate up to 5000 sec −1. Subsequent sudden deceleration distal to the sphere led to separation of fluid from the wall with reverse flow and formation of a vortex in which particles described spiral orbits. In the reverse flow zone, wall shear rates were only 1.5–9% of those in flow far away from the obstacle. Particles spent from 10 to 10 3 times as long in orbits as the time taken to traverse the vortex length at the mean tube flow rate. The size of the vortices traced out by microspheres of different diameters, red cells and platelets, were identical in a given tube but due to radial migration away from the wall, the larger particles entered the vortex further from the surface of the spherical obstruction than the smaller particles, whose relative vortex concentration thereby increased. Two-micrometer latex spheres dispersed in plasma, which formed aggregates during flow, were also observed and found to adhere to the downstream edge of the obstruction near the tube wall, but not elsewhere in the vortex or in the tube.