Thromb Haemost 1998; 79(05): 1034-1040
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1615116
Review Article
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Morphological and Biochemical Features Affecting the Antithrombotic Properties of the Aorta in Adult Rabbits and Rabbit Pups

E. Nitschmann
1   From the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Center, Hamilton, Ontario
2   From the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
,
L. Berry
1   From the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Center, Hamilton, Ontario
2   From the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
,
S. Bridge
1   From the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Center, Hamilton, Ontario
,
M. W. C. Hatton
3   From the Department of Pathology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
,
M. Richardson
3   From the Department of Pathology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
,
P. Monagle
1   From the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Center, Hamilton, Ontario
,
A. K. C. Chan
1   From the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Center, Hamilton, Ontario
2   From the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
,
M. Andrew
1   From the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Center, Hamilton, Ontario
2   From the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
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Publikationsverlauf

Received 20. März 1997

Accepted after resubmission 14. Januar 1998

Publikationsdatum:
07. Dezember 2017 (online)

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Summary

We hypothesised that there are important physiologic differences in arterial wall structure and function with respect to antithrombotic activity in the very young (pre-puberty) compared to adults. Electron microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and activity assays were used to examine differences in aorta structure and function comparing prepubertal rabbits (pups) to adult rabbits. Differences in endothelial function, extracellular matrix structure, proteoglycan (PG) distribution and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and function were shown. In both intima and media, total PG, chondroitin sulfate (CS) PG and heparan sulfate (HS) PG content were significantly increased in pups compared to adult rabbits. These findings corresponded to increased concentrations by mass analyses of CS GAG and DS GAG in aortas from pups. There was also a significant increase in antithrombin activity in pups due to HS GAG. In conclusion, differences in both structure and antithrombin activity of aortas from pups compared to adult rabbits suggest that young arteries may have greater antithrombotic potential that is, at least in part, related to increased HS GAG.