Endothelial cell responses to controlled pulsatile flow at the bifurcation of a model vessel

Abstract

The authors exposed endothelial cells of the porcine aorta to different flow conditions using a model vessel. This model is made of glass tube and consists of a main tube and a side branch of which angle is 90/spl deg/. The shear rate of the main tube was 20 sec/sup -1/, while that of the side branch was 29 sec/sup -1/. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDP) was measured as an indicator of cell damage. Changes of LDH from cultured cells in dishes by adding native lipoprotein, oxidized and non-oxidized linoleic acid were also examined for comparisons. LDH was lower in the cells of the side branch than in those of the main tube.<>