José Carlos Costa Baptista-Silva

Long-term effects for acute phase myocardial infarct VEGF165 gene transfer cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling

Background. Cardiac remodeling is ultimately regulated by components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We investigated the important role that growth factors play in the regulation of ECM remodeling that occurs as a consequence of myocardium damage. Methods and results. Rats were submitted to the ligation of the left anterior coronary artery and pcDNA3-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)165 was immediately injected intramyocardially in the treated group. The animals were divided into large size myocardium infarction (LMI) and small size myocardium infarction, with or without gene transfer. The plasmid-containing DNA encoding VEGF165 was injected into the cardiac muscle and its effect was observed on the ECM components. Glycosaminoglycans were identified and quantified by agarose gel based electrophoresis and ELISA as well as immunocytochemistry to examine specific cathepsin B, heparanase, and syndecan-4 changes. The amounts of hyaluronic acid (HA; p < 0.005), DS, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate (p < 0.001) were significantly increased in the LMI treated group in comparison to the other groups, which correlates with the decrease in the expression of heparanase. A decrease in the molecular mass of HA was found in the scar tissue of treated group. Conclusions. The data obtained strongly support the idea that changes in the ECM and its components are important determinants of cardiac remodeling after myocardium infarct and may be essential for inflammatory response and attempt to stabilize the damage and provide a compensatory mechanisms to maintain cardiac output since the ECM components analyzed are involved with angiogenesis, cell proliferation and differentiation.

Synergistic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor double gene therapy in mouse limb ischemia

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has mostly been tested to treat ischemic diseases, although the outcomes obtained are not satisfactory. Our hypothesis is that the local transient expression of VEGF and stem cell mobilizer granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) genes in ischemic limbs can complement their activities and be more efficient for limb recovery.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor gene based therapy for acute limb ischemia in a mouse model.

Granulocyte‐colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) is a pleiotropic factor for hematopoiesis that stimulates myeloblasts, monoblasts and mobilization of bone marrow stem cells. Therefore, the GM‐CSF gene is a potential candidate for vessel formation and tissue remodeling in the treatment of ischemic diseases.

Right renal vein elongation with the inferior vena cava for cadaveric kidney transplants: an old neglected surgical approach

INTRODUCTION Short right renal vein is a frequent and well-known technical inconvenience that is commonly observed during transplantation of the right kidney. We present our experience with the elongation of short cadaveric right renal veins using the contiguous vena cava during cadaveric renal transplants. METHODS We performed 34 kidney transplantations with a short right renal vein requiring elongation using the inferior vena cava, to make the venous anastomosis technically feasible. The elongated right renal vein was anastomosed end to side to the external iliac vein in 24 patients, to the common iliac vein in 8 patients and to the inferior vena cava in 2 patients. The right renal artery with an aortic patch was implanted end to side in 33 patients, and end to end without aortic patch to the internal iliac artery in one patient. RESULTS In all cases, the vascular anastomoses were easily performed in the recipient and no thrombosis was observed. CONCLUSION Elongation of a short right renal vein with the inferior vena cava is a feasible mean to overcome technical problems that may compromise the results of cadaveric renal transplantation.

Microcirculatory effects of local and remote ischemic preconditioning in supraceliac aortic clamping.

INTRODUCTION Supraceliac aortic clamping in major vascular procedures promotes splanchnic ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury that may induce endothelial dysfunction, widespread inflammation, multiorgan dysfunction, and death. We tested the hypothesis that local or remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) may be protective against injury after supraceliac aortic clamping through the modulation of mesenteric leukocyte-endothelial interactions, as evaluated with intravital microscopy and expression of adhesion molecules. METHODS Fifty-six male Wistar rats (weight, 190 to 250 g), were divided into four groups of 14 rats each: control-sham surgery without aortic occlusion; I/R through supraceliac aortic occlusion for 20 minutes, followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion; local IPC through supraceliac aortic occlusion for two cycles of 5 minutes of ischemia and 5 minutes of reperfusion, followed by the same protocol of the IR group; remote IPC through infrarenal aortic occlusion for two cycles of 10 minutes of ischemia and 10 minutes of reperfusion, followed by the same protocol of the IR group. Seven animals per group were used to evaluate in vivo leukocyte-endothelial interactions in postcapillary venules with intravital microscopy and another seven animals per group were used to collect mesentery samples for immunohistochemistry demonstration of adhesion molecules expression. RESULTS Supraceliac aortic occlusion increased the number of rolling leukocytes with slower velocities and increased the number of adherent leukocytes to the venular surface and leukocyte migration to the interstitium. The expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was also increased significantly after I/R. Local or remote IPC reduced the leukocyte recruitment in vivo and normalized the expression of adhesion molecules. CONCLUSIONS Local or remote IPC reduces endothelial dysfunction on mesenteric microcirculation caused by I/R injury after supraceliac aortic clamping.

Traumatismos de veia cava inferior

BACKGROUND: Injuries of inferior vena cava (IVC) require immediate and definitive action. Our objective is to evaluate the incidence, the clinical findings and the operative approach to IVC injuries. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 76 patients with IVC injuries treated in two Emergency Hospitals of Manaus, AM, Brazil, from January 1997 to July 2002. Mechanisms of injuries, mortality, hemodynamic status, penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI), intraoperative findings and surgical approach were among assessed data. RESULTS: Fourty-nine patients (65%) had stab wounds, 26 (34%) gunshot wounds, and one had blunt abdominal trauma. Fourty-one (54%) patients survived. Almost all patients entered the emergency room awake, although 40% were hypotensive (systolic blood pressure < 70 mmHg), and the penetrating abdominal trauma index average was above 40. At laparotomy, active retroperitoneal bleeding or an expanding retroperitoneal hematoma were detected in all cases. Caval injury was retro-hepatic in 21 patients, and infrahepatic in the other 55. The prevailing surgical approach was lateral repair in 65 patients. Atrial-caval shunting was tried in six patients, with only three survivals. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that IVC injury remains a highly lethal injury and there is a close relationship with urban violence. This study emphasizes that successful outcome depends on prompt volume restoration, avoidance of hypothermia and a stratified selective surgical approach.

Kidney weight and volume among living donors in Brazil

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE The present study was performed to measure kidney weight and volume among living donors of both sexes in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a cross-sectional survey carried out between December 2001 and August 2004. METHODS Kidney transplantations from 219 living donors were analyzed for this study. The kidneys were weighed in grams on a single-pan digital balance just after drainage of the perfusion fluid and removal of the perirenal fat. The kidney volume was determined in milliliters by water displacement. RESULTS The mean age at nephroureterectomy was 44 +/- 9.5. The donor organs came from the left side in 172 cases and from the right side in 47 cases. The weights and volumes of the right and left kidneys were, respectively, 169.83 +/- 29.91 g and 157.38 +/- 31.84 ml; and 173.00 +/- 33.52 g and 160.34 +/- 34.40 ml. The differences between the sides were not significant. CONCLUSIONS According to the present study, kidney weight cannot be the only factor determining the side on which nephroureterectomy is performed, because of the lack of statistical significance between the two sides. On average, females donate lower nephron doses than males do, which could in some transplants result in allograft damage.

Postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula

The development of the postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula (PNAVF) between the renal vessels stumps is rare. Here we present a case report of PNAVF, and review the diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The most common clinical features include a loud murmur over the previous nephrectomy scar, and heart failure resistant to common medical treatment. A 58-year-old white woman was admitted to the hospital for a complete evaluation of an unexplained congestive heart failure with no response to common medical treatment. She had had a right nephrectomy for pyonephrosis 13 years before. The diagnosis of PNAVF was suspected because over the right lumbar region a definite trill was palpated, and on auscultation a harsh, machinery-like murmur was heard. The diagnosis was confirmed by aortogram and selective renal arteriography. In May 1989, the right arteriovenous was excised through a right subcostal transperitoneal approach. The renal vessel stumps were individually ligated and sutured separately close to aorta and vena cava. The patients postoperative course was entirely uneventful in the following seven years. We conclude that during nephrectomy, the renal vessels should be ligated separately, and the transfixation in mass of the stumps avoided to prevent arteriovenous fistula.

Ligation of the left renal vein in epm1-wistar rats: functional and morphologic alterations in the kidneys, testes and suprarenal glands

OBJECTIVE The ligation of the left renal vein (LLVR) in man is a controversial procedure in view of the risks of lesion to the renal parenchyma. With the objective of studying the morphologic and functional alterations caused by these lesions, we conducted experimental research with rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS 64 male adult EPM1-WISTAR rats were used, divided into 8 groups-4 for LLRV and four for control. Each LLRV group and corresponding control group were sacrificed progressively on the 7th, 15th, 30th and 60th day after the initial surgery. RESULTS We found morphofunctional alterations only in animals that underwent LLRV in the four periods of sacrifice. The proteinuria creatinine in serum, testosterone in serum and serum corticosterone in serum showed practically no alteration in relation to the normal values for rats. Statistically significant severe histological lesions were found in the kidneys and testes of the LLRV groups. Lesions in the suprarenal glands were also present in these groups, but no sufficient to demonstrate statistical significance. CONCLUSION Based on these results we can conclude that the ligation of the left renal vein is a procedure of high risk in these animals.

Vascular anastomosis for pediatric renal transplantation – A potential new strategy in low‐weight children?

The technical aspects of RT in low‐weight children should be specific, particularly with regard to VA. This retrospective study assesses the main VA options in paediatric RTs and proposes a new strategy for renal artery trajectory when using the Ao and the right iVC. The sample included 81 patients and was categorized into a group of children weighing <16 kg and the other group of children weighing 16 kg or more. The smaller children received the graft predominantly on the Ao and iVC (63%); however, the VA options varied in children weighing more than 16 kg, with anastomoses predominantly to the common iliac vessels (46%). In the first group, when the Ao was the selected vessel for anastomosis on the right side, the trajectory adopted for the transplanted kidney artery was posterior to the iVC. This strategy may reduce the risk of compression of the iVC by the renal artery of the donor kidney and may reconstitute the normal anatomy of the renal artery. Moreover, it did not represent a risk factor for graft loss in this sample.