Longitudinal retractive force in pressurized dog and human arteries.

Experiments were performed to examine longitudinal retractive force in pressurized arteries in vitro. This force opposes vessel elongation and prevents the development of tortuosity. Common carotid arteries were excised from six adult dogs and external iliac arteries were excised from six elderly male humans at autopsy. Each vessel was mounted in a tissue bath at in situ length and was pressurized. Longitudinal retractive force was measured under control conditions and after treatment with elastase or collagenase. Results showed that, in the dog vessels, elastin provides all of the longitudinal retractive force. In the aged human vessels, both elastin and collagen provide longitudinal retractive force, with elastin contributing the much greater part.