Effects of wall shear stress on the morphology and permeability of endothelial cells in stenotic rabbit abdominal aorta

Stenosis with 55.2% cross section area reduction was introduced into the rabbit aorta. Using Evans blue dye and scanning microscope, we observed the morphology of endothelial cells and the permeability of endothelium to albumin in the stenotic aorta. Numerical simulation of blood flow in the stenotic aorta was performed to obtain the distribution of wall shear rate. The results showed that in the immediately proximal and distal vicinity of stenosis, blood flow was disturbed significantly, resulting in apparent changes in the morphology of endothelial cells and the permeability of endothelium to albumin. These changes were not only attributed to the value of wall shear stress, but also attributed to the flow pattern in the stenosis. The result therefore is in good consistent with the clinical observation that atherosclerosis often occurs in the areas where blood flow is disturbed and flow separation occurs.