Article Text
Abstract
Objective To observe the histological change of thrombi in vivo dissolved by urokinase and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa-targeted microbubbles combined with ultrasound in order to study the thrombolysis mechanism.
Methods A total of 42 New Zealand white rabbits with platelet-rich thrombi in the femoral artery were randomised into seven treatment groups (n=6): (1) ultrasound alone (US); (2) ultrasound plus non-targeted microbubbles (US+M); (3) urokinase alone (UK); (4) ultrasound, non-targeted microbubble and urokinase (US+M+UK); (5) ultrasound plus platelet-targeted microbubble (US+R); 6) platelet-targeted microbubble plus urokinase (R+UK); and (7) ultrasound, platelet-targeted microbubble and urokinase (US+R+UK). Urokinase and RGDS were in conjunction with the surface of commercial microbubbles (SonoVue) by direct conjugation method. US was simultaneously applied transcutaneously over the thrombus up to 30 min. The thrombolytic effect was based on ultrasound, blood flow and histological observations at 120 min post treatment.
Results US+R+UK group resulted in the complete recanalisation (p<0.001). HE staining showed that thrombus is completely dissolved. Scanning electron microscope examination showed thrombosis of the fiber network structure damage. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that thrombus was dissolved into high electron density particles. Expression of vWF and TF staining was negative.
Conclusions Damage of thrombus fibrin network structure, dissolution fibrin and prevention of the thrombus reformation are the main histological changes of thrombi in vivo dissolved by urokinase and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa-targeted microbubbles combined with ultrasound.