Abstract

In a previous study we have found that the photodynamic modality PUVB (8-methoxy-Psoralen + UVB) reduces luminal narrowing after arterial endovascular injury. We hypothesized that PUVB may modulate the arterial mechanical properties and tested this hypothesis by measuring the stress as a function of the strain in segments of carotid artery. Furthermore, we have investigated the potential for PUVB-induced cross-linking of extracellular matrix proteins by gel electrophoresis. It was found that both techniques were suitable for testing our hypotheses as evidenced by a statistically significant difference for the positive control. However, no differences between A) control, B) sensitizer only, C) light only and D) PUVB-treated smaples could be found with respect to macro- and micro-mechanical properties. Therefore, the hypothesis that PUVB mediates its luminal narrowing reduction effect by directly changing the arterial mechanical properties should be rejected.

© 2001 OSA/SPIE