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A novel rat model of chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction. Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology [Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol] Journal article

 
Fu YH, Lin QX, Li XH, Fei HW, Shan ZX, Huang XZ, Liu XY, Yang M, Lin SG, Zhou SF, Zhang YY, Yu XY 
A novel rat model of chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction. [Journal Article]
Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 2009 Jul-Aug; 31(6):367-73.


In this report, we describe an improved method for the establishment of reproducible congestive heart failure (CHF) in a rat model. The area of myocardial infarction (MI) after ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was quantified. Histological changes, heart function detected by echocardiography and isolated Langendorff perfusion, and selected biochemical factors were monitored after ligation of the LAD. Contrary to previous beliefs, thoracotomy in the second intercostal space provided a much better visualization of and easier access to the LAD and significantly reduced the mortality rate. Surface electrocardiogram (ECG) showed that the S-T interval was arched raised upward immediately after ligation. Typical morphological and functional changes of CHF were observed after LAD ligation. Cardiomyocytes in the infarcted zone were depleted and deranged. Biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were significantly lowered in rats with MI than in the normal and sham groups, whereas serum malondialdehyde (MDA), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), cardiac troponin (cTnT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were elevated. After MI, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was increased but insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in culture supernatant were lower than in the normal and sham groups. We present an improved model for maximal reproducibility of experimental CHF in rats which allows the study of molecular and physiological variables in relation to CHF.



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