Objective To establish chronic hindlimb ischemia model with suture-occluded method in rats, and then compare the effects of chronic hindlimb ischemia model with acute ischemia model. Methods Models of chronic hindlimb ischemia were established by using suture-occluded femoral artery method. The laser Doppler blood flow analysis and angiography were performed on day 7, 14, 28, 42, and 49 after operation, and then the rats were sacrificed after angiography, respectively, the quadriceps and gastrocnemius of contralateral and ipsilateral (surgical side) were gotten, which were tested by HE staining and α-actin immunohistochemistry staining, and then calculate arteriolar density. Results There were no lameness and limb necrosis after operation in chronic hindlimb ischemia models. Laser Doppler analysis found that chronic hindlimb ischemia models were still maintained in ischemia state on day 49 after operation compared with acute ischemic models. The resluts of HE staining showed no acute necrosis and muscle fibrosis in chronic hindlimb ischemia model group. Chronic hindlimb ischemia models after operation did not appear obvious lameness and limb necrosis. The arteriolar density of quadriceps femoris on day 7 after operation in chronic hindlimb ischemia models were less than that in acute hindlimb ischemia models (0.015 2 vs. 0.036 4). Conclusions Compared with the commonly used acute ischemic models, the duration of arterial limb ischemia in chronic hindlimb ischemia rats, which were established by suture-occluded method, is longer and less likely to be affected by the compensatory mechanisms. So suture-occluded method can provide a new animal hindlimb ischemia model for further study of ischemia angiogenesis mechanism and treatment of severe lower extremity ischemia.
ObjectiveTo put forward the concept of acute peroneal artery ischemia syndrome, and to study its typical clinical manifestations and imaging features so as to provide the basis of the evidence-based medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of acute peroneal artery ischemia. MethodsBetween October 2009 and December 2012, 3 cases (2 males and 1 female, aged 57, 68, and 71 years) of acute peroneal artery ischemia syndrome were treated. All the patients displayed typical three symptoms of "peroneal artery blood supply zone pale/red + severe pain of the gastrocnemius muscle + acute drop foot". Medical examination revealed that they all had localized tenderness in the lateral and inferior part of the gastrocnemius muscle, with decreasing of skin temperature. The pulse of dorsalis pedis artery and the posterior tibial artery on affected limbs could be felt. Blood coagulation function and biochemical assay showed that D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products, creatine kinase, or myoglobin markedly elevated. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed proximal peroneal artery stenosis. All patients were treated with intravenous thrombolysis, anticoagulation, vasodilation, and improving circulation therapy. ResultsThe symptoms of lower limb swelling, pain, and fatigue were improved obviously in all patients after treatment. Blood coagulation function and biochemical assay showed D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products, creatine kinase, or myoglobin were gradually reduced. The patients were discharged at 9-13 days after treatments, without recurrence during the follow-up of 1year. ConclusionAcute peroneal artery ischemia syndrome is a special type of acute lower limb ischemia, with the three symptoms of "peroneal artery blood supply zone pale/red+ severe pain of the gastrocnemius muscle + acute drop foot" as the main characteristics and should be treated by early active anticoagulant and recanalization therapy.
Objective To summarize the research progress of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis in lower limb ischemia, so as to provide a new method for non-invasive treatment of lower limb ischemia. Method The literatures on studies of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis in lower limb ischemia in recent years were read and reviewed. Results The incidence of peripheral arterial disease had been increasing annually. How to effectively reduce the amputation rate and mortality rate of patients with critical limb ischemia was still a clinical problem that needs to be solved urgently. A large number of basic and clinical studies had shown that gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis could effectively induce angiogenesis and collateral circulation in ischemic tissue of lower limb, leading to the significant improvements of blood perfusion in ischemic areas. Additionally, the construction of many kinds of new non-viral gene delivery vectors could also improve the safety and effectiveness of gene therapy to a certain extent. Conclusion Although promising therapeutic effect of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis brings new ideas and strategies for the treatment of lower limb ischemia, issues still exist that have not been solved.