Seaweed molecules can be used to improve the outcome of bypass surgery

Researchers are using a natural material extracted from seaweed to promote blood vessel cell growth, prevent blood clots, and improve the performance
of synthetic blood vessel grafts used in heart bypass surgery.

The new method, developed and tested by the University of Waterloo, is especially important in cases involving small artificial blood vessels (those smaller than 6 millimeters in diameter) that are prone to thrombosis and can develop into complete blockages
.

Dr Evelyn Yim, professor of chemical engineering and chair of university research, who led the project, said: "It is very necessary
to develop synthetic vascular graft materials that can improve long-term functional ratios.

The researchers added a material called fucose extracted from seaweed to modify the synthetic blood vessels
.
Alginic is structurally similar to heparin, a drug
used as an anticoagulant.

When applied to a nanotechnology known as micromode, fucose promotes the growth of vascular cells around the inner surface of the graft, significantly reducing the chance of
thrombosis.

For patients, potential benefits include fewer complications, improved quality of life, and a reduced
risk of recurrence of blockages requiring additional medication or surgery.

Yim, director of the Laboratory of Regenerative Nanomedicine at the University of Waterloo, said: "A functional, off-the-shelf, small-diameter vascular transplant will help save lives
.
" "Importantly, they will last longer and allow the blood to flow
freely.
"

Heart bypass surgery is surgery that restores blood flow to the heart when a blood vessel is blocked
.
Blood vessels obtained from patients are the gold standard for transplantation, but limited availability often requires the use of artificial vessels
.

In addition to heart bypass surgery, grafts are used to treat vascular disease and restore blood flow to vital organs and tissues, including the brain and legs
.

When synthetic graft material does not allow vascular cells to grow inside arteries or blood vessels, there is a high chance that blood clots will occur, which can progress to complete blockage or cause inflammation
that restricts blood flow.

Yim has successfully tested the new technique using fucoside and micromodalities in small animals and plans to expand to large animal trials before entering clinical trials
.

Several researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Oregon Health & Science University collaborated
on this project.

Journal Reference:

1. Yuan Yao, Aung Moe Zaw, Deirdre E.
   J.
   Anderson, YeJin Jeong, Joshua Kunihiro, Monica T.
   Hinds, Evelyn K.
   F.
   Yim.
   Fucoidan and topography modification improved in situ endothelialization on acellular synthetic vascular grafts.
   Bioactive Materials, 2023; 22: 535 DOI: 10.
   1016/j.
   bioactmat.
   2022.
   10.
   011