[Properties of decellularized rabbit carotid artery with two different cross-linked technologies: A comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the properties between decellularized rabbit carotid artery with different cross-linked technologies.
 Methods: The decellularized rabbit carotid arteries were randomly divided into a photo-oxidation group and a procyanidins group. One group was cross-linked with photo-oxidation and the other group was cross-linked with procyanidins. The in vitro or in vivo properties of the two groups were evaluated by testing heat-shrinking temperature, max tensile strength and the max elongation or by testing tissue structure, inflammatory reaction and calcification degree.
 Results: The heat-shrinking temperature, max tensile strength and the max elongation were similar in the two groups (P>0.05). The tissue structure and inflammatory reaction were also similar in the two groups. Although the result of Von-Kossa calcium salt stain was slightly different, the calcium content was lower in the procyanidins group than that in the photo-oxidation group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The grafts by two cross-linked technologies show excellent mechanical capability, lower immunogenicity, good biological stability and anti-calcification ability. The procyanidins group shows a better anti-calcification property than the photo-oxidation group.