两种心衰模型大鼠心功能的比较

目的　比较两种心衰模型大鼠心功能的特点。方法　用腹主动脉、下腔静脉穿刺造瘘法及冠脉结扎法建立不同的心衰模型 ,用Doppler超声心动图及心脏称重的方法比较其心功能的各项参数。结果　两组大鼠的相对心脏重量均有所增高。造瘘组射血分数有所下降 ,但心输出量、血压维持正常 ,而冠脉结扎组术后 3周射血分散、心输出量和平均动脉压均明显下降 ,等容舒张期延长。结论　腹主动脉、下腔静脉穿刺造瘘所造成的是高输出量心衰 ,而冠脉结扎法所造成的是低输出量心衰 ,其心衰程度更为严重。Doppler超声心动图为大鼠心功能的检测提供了一种简单、可靠、可随访的无创伤性检查方法。     

改良大鼠左心室插管术及心衰大鼠左心功能指标的测定

目的完善大鼠左心室插管技术并确定充血性心力衰竭（CHF）大鼠心功能指标参数。方法将80只成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为2组：假手术组（SH）,腹主动脉缩窄模型组（CAA）。采用腹主动脉部分缩窄法制作CHF大鼠模型,BL-420E＋生物信号采集系统测定心功能参数。观察比较2组大鼠第6周后测定的心功能的各项指标。结果（1）经进一步完善大鼠左心室插管技术,成功率明显提高。（2）CAA组大鼠心功能明显减低,左室重量指数（LVMI）、左室舒张末压（LVEDP）升高,左心室内压上升、下降的最大变化速率（±dp/dtmax）下降（P〈0.01）。结论改良大鼠左心室插管术提高成功率,心衰大鼠的心功能指标明显改变。     

压力后负荷增高大鼠心肌肥厚向心力衰竭的转变

目的观察单纯腹主动脉缩窄造成的心肌肥厚能否转变成为心力衰竭。方法实验选用8周龄的Wistar大鼠,使用7-0号尼龙线对其肾上腹主动脉进行缩窄手术,造成后负荷性心肌肥厚模型(LVH,n=10),同时设置假手术组(Sham,n=10)和正常组(Con,n=10)作为对照。术后第20周和第38周使用超声多普勒和多导生理仪对大鼠血流动力学进行检测。解剖后取出心脏,计算心脏/体重比,并通过HE染色和天狼猩红染色观察心脏形态和纤维化程度。结果腹主动脉结扎后第20周,LVH组大鼠心室壁肥厚,舒张功能下降(E/Aratio:LVH组:1.0±0.25,Con组:1.6±0.12)。术后38周,左心室壁肥厚程度有所下降,但是心室腔扩大,心脏收缩和舒张功能明显下降(EF:LVH组:44.8±8.42,Con组:70.9±5.19;MaxdP/dt:LVH组:4916±1267.3,Con组:14225±932.1;MindP/dt:LVH组:-3246±1217.3,Con组:-12138±725.2)。腹主动脉缩窄术后的动物心脏重量明显增加(3.58±0.32vs.2.34±0.15),HE染色和天狼猩红染色显示LVH组大鼠在术后38周心脏纤维化明显。结论腹主动脉缩窄造成的后负荷增高动物模型首先出现向心性心肌肥厚,伴以舒张功能下降,进而收缩功能下降,发展为心力衰竭。     

大鼠心力衰竭模型的构建与鉴定

目的比较主动脉弓缩窄和腹主动脉缩窄复制心力衰竭衰模型的异同,探索快速有效的心衰动物模型。方法将大鼠分为主动脉缩窄手术组,腹主动脉缩窄手术组和对照组（C组）。主动脉缩窄手术组实施颈部手术,在主动脉弓处缩窄动脉直径;腹主动脉缩窄手术组实施腹部手术,在腹主动脉处缩窄动脉直径;C组实施颈部手术但不实施动脉缩窄手术。各组实验动物均正常喂养4～6周后进行心脏的超声检测和心脏血流动力学检测。结果心脏超声结果显示：主动脉弓缩窄手术组左心室壁厚度和左心室腔内径在术后4周明显高于正常组;而腹主动脉缩窄手术组左心室壁厚度和左心室腔内径在术后4周较正常组没有明显增加。术后6周,腹主动脉缩窄手术组左心室壁厚度和左心室腔内径都明显增加,而主动脉弓缩窄手术组左心室壁厚度没有明显改变,左心室腔内经明显增加。血流动力学指标显示：主动脉弓缩窄手术组LVESP、LVEDP、LVDP、±dp/dtmax都明显低于腹主动脉缩窄手术组。结论主动脉弓缩窄手术复制心肌肥大导致心功能衰竭模型效果明显快于腹主动脉缩窄手术复制的心肌肥大导致心功能衰竭模型。     

E4031对慢性心衰大鼠离体心脏功能和心肌细胞内静息Ca^2＋水平的影响

目的：研究具有钠钙交换（NCX）激动作用的药物E 4031对慢性心衰大鼠离体心脏功能和心肌细胞内静息Ca2＋水平的影响。方法：通过腹主动脉缩窄建立大鼠慢性心力衰竭模型;利用Langendorff装置进行离体心脏灌流,检测大鼠心功能及E 4031对血流动力学指标的影响;急性分离心衰大鼠心肌细胞,与钙荧光指示剂fluo3/AM共同孵育后,用激光共聚焦显微镜系统观察E 4031对心肌细胞内荧光强度的影响。结果：缩窄大鼠腹主动脉12周后,langendorff离体灌流检测显示大鼠心功能明显降低;在灌流液中加入10μmol/L E 4031可以使心衰大鼠心脏左室发展压（LVDP）和左室收缩/舒张最大速率（±dp/dtmax）提高;与正常组和伪手术组相比,心衰大鼠心肌细胞内静息钙荧光强度明显升高,和10μmol/L E 4031共孵育后,心衰大鼠心肌细胞静息钙荧光强度呈现短期先升后降过程,然后在较低的水平保持稳定。结论：E 4031可以增强慢性心衰大鼠离体心功能,可能与其增强心肌细胞膜NCX活动,稳定细胞内Ca2＋水平有关。     

压力超负荷心衰小鼠模型的心脏结构和功能病理进程特征

目的建立小鼠心衰模型,应用超声影像学和病理学技术综合评价疾病发展过程中的特征性的心脏功能和结构的改变。方法应用主动脉弓缩窄(transverse aortic constriction,TAC)手术技术建立压力超负荷致小鼠心衰模型,造模前0周和造模后2、4、8周采集主动脉弓缩窄处血流多普勒估测血管承受压力,采集B型和M型超声图像评价心脏结构左室收缩功能,采集二尖瓣口血流多普勒结合二尖瓣环组织多普勒评价心脏舒张功能,采集心脏组织进行组织病理学观察。结果超声影像学结果显示术后2、4、8周主动脉血流压力均显著性增加。术后2周主要表现为特征性左室壁代偿性厚度增加、内径减少,收缩功能代偿性增加,但伴随舒张功能受损和心肌纤维化;术后4周为过渡期,主要表现为从室壁肥厚到心室扩张的过渡、收缩功能开始下降、舒张功能持续性受损、心肌进一步纤维化;术后8周为表现为特征性的心室腔扩大,收缩、舒张功能均显著性降低,心肌细胞部分溶解并且显著性纤维化。结论通过评价小鼠主动脉弓缩窄后代偿性心肌肥厚期、过渡期到失代偿扩张型心衰等三个阶段的左室结构和功能,为主动脉弓缩窄模型的在基础和转化研究上的应用提供理论依据。     

心衰大鼠心肌细胞β2-AR的表达与心功能改变的关系及机制

目的:探讨慢性心衰大鼠心肌细胞β2肾上腺素能受体(β2-AR)的表达变化,过表达β2-AR后心肌细胞收缩功能的改变及其可能机制.方法:通过腹主动脉缩窄术建立大鼠慢性心力衰竭(CCF)模型并采用胶原酶消化法分离心衰大鼠心肌细胞.转染携带β2-AR目的基因的重组腺病毒,通过免疫印迹方法检测正常细胞和心衰细胞β2-AR蛋白表达的变化,采用单个细胞动态边缘检测系统测定其收缩功能的改变.结果:与正常细胞相比,心衰时β2-AR蛋白的表达没有变化,转染β2-AR基因则使之表达增加(P＜0.05).与正常组相比,心衰组的基础收缩明显降低(3.955±1.684%vs5.472±2.918%,P＜0.01);过表达β2-AR逆转了心衰心肌细胞的基础收缩(5.882±2.208%vs3.955±1.684%,n=60,P＜0.01),但不影响心衰心肌细胞的最大收缩(9.366±2.646%vs9.066±3.509%).结论:心衰时大鼠心肌细胞BrAR的表达不变,但是其基础收缩功能降低,而β2-AR的过表达则能够改善心衰细胞的基础收缩功能.     

腹主动脉缩窄小鼠心脏结构和功能的动态变化*

目的: 探讨腹主动脉缩窄小鼠在向心衰发展的过程中心脏结构和功能的动态变化。方法: 健康雄性昆明小鼠,随机分为模型组、假手术组和对照组。模型组采用腹主动脉缩窄的方法制备慢性心力衰竭小鼠模型,假手术组只分离出腹主动脉但不结扎,对照组不做任何处理。模型组组内分为2周组、4周组、6周组和8周组,每组10只。观察各组小鼠行为学表现、心电图、超声心动图和心肌组织病理学的变化。结果: 模型组与对照组相比:模型组小鼠术后2周开始出现行为学改变并且仅有2周组小鼠出现IVSS降低(P＜0.05);术后4周开始出现病理性J波、EF降低(P＜0.05)、IVSD增加(P＜0.05)和心肌损伤;术后6周开始出现LVPWD和LVPWS增加(P＜0.05);术后8周开始出现LV mass corrected增加(P＜0.05)。各组小鼠心率、R幅值、T幅值、ST段、PR间期、QT间期、QTc等数据差异均无显著性。结论: 腹主动脉缩窄导致小鼠出现心衰的过程中出现了EF降低、室间隔肥厚、病理性J波、左室后壁肥厚以及左室质量增加等变化。     

小鼠心梗模型的建立与无创评价

目的建立小鼠的心肌梗死模型,提高动物存活率,并使用心脏超声进行无创心功能评价。方法昆明雄性小鼠20只,气管插管后由左侧第4肋间进胸,结扎冠状动脉左前降支建立小鼠心肌梗死模型,在模型建立的前1 d和术后1 d、1周分别使用心脏超声检测左室收缩末直径、舒张末直径、缩短分数和射血分数,并于术后第8天进行病理检查。结果小鼠心肌梗死模型建立过程中早期死亡率10%（2/20）,术后1周内死亡率15%（3/20）,经过超声评价,造模成功率为75%（15/20）。小鼠心功能明显下降,射血分数由手术前的（92.1±3.45）%下降到术后1周的（49.8±14.20）%,缩短分数由手术前的（61.4±2.85）%下降到（26.1±9.01）%;心室明显扩大,左室收缩末直径由（13.9±1.98）μm扩大到（36.5±7.37）μm,舒张末直径由（35.9±3.12）μm扩大到（48.9±6.05）μm。病理学检查见明显瘢痕形成。结论通过结扎冠状动脉左前降支的方法建立了小鼠心肌梗死模型并可以使用超声心动图评价这一模型。     

糖尿病大鼠心肌功能的改变及其机制*

目的:观察钙敏感受体(CaSR)表达变化在2型糖尿病大鼠心功能降低中的作用。方法:Wistar大鼠随机分成3组:对照组、糖尿病4周和8周组。糖尿病组大鼠给予高糖高脂饮食喂养,4周后腹腔注射链脲佐菌素建立2型糖尿病模型。通过HE染色观察心脏形态学变化,通过超声心动仪检测心脏功能的变化,通过Western blot检测心肌组织CaSR和PKC-α蛋白表达的变化。结果:与对照组相比,糖尿病大鼠心脏收缩和舒张功能降低,心肌组织出现不规则收缩带,且随着病程延长逐渐加重,同时心肌组织CaSR和PKC-α蛋白表达减少。结论:糖尿病大鼠心肌CaSR等蛋白的表达降低,从而引起细胞内钙紊乱,导致心功能下降。     

Effect of graduated embolization of the coronary vessels using microspheres on the pumping function and contractility of the left ventricle in rats

Left ventricle (LV) function and systemic hemodynamic changes after coronary artery embolization by 15 microns radioactive microspheres were studied in anesthetized rats. Selective coronary embolization was produced by microsphere injection during ascending aorta occlusion in closed chest animal by using "L"-shaped wire. Maximal pressure (Pmax) developed was evaluated during ascending aorta occlusion. Coronary embolization evoked dose-dependent reduction in Pmax and dP/dtmax and then decrease in basal LV systolic pressure. dP/dt/P, with parallel increase in end diastolic LV pressure. Changes of cardiac output were bidirectional: after administration of relatively small amount of microspheres cardiac output increased. This method can be used for producing quantitative myocardial ischemia and we suggest that it may be a suitable model of the chronic heart failure.     

A diastolic dysfunction model in non-human primates with transverse aortic constriction

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) has been widely used to study cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure in rodents. Few studies have been reported in preclinical animal models. The similar physiology and anatomy between non-human primates (NHPs) and humans make NHPs valuable models for disease modeling and testing of drugs and devices. In the current study, we aimed to establish a TAC model in NHPs and characterize the structural and functional profiles of the heart after TAC. A non-absorbable suture was placed around the aorta between the brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery to create TAC. NHPs were divided into 2 groups according to pressure gradient (PG): the Mild Group (PG=31.01 ± 12.40 mmHg, n=3) and the Moderate Group (PG=53.00 ± 9.37 mmHg, n=4). At 4 weeks after TAC, animals in both TAC groups developed cardiac hypertrophy: enlarged myocytes and increased wall thickness of the left ventricular (LV) anterior wall. Although both TAC groups had normal systolic function that was similar to a Sham Group, the Moderate Group showed diastolic dysfunction that was associated with more severe cardiac fibrosis, as evidenced by a reduced A wave velocity, large E wave velocity/A wave velocity ratio, and short isovolumic relaxation time corrected by heart rate. Furthermore, no LV arrhythmia was observed in either animal group after TAC. A diastolic dysfunction model with cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis was successfully developed in NHPs.     

Alteration of collagenous protein profile in congestive heart failure secondary to myocardial infarction

The rat model of myocardial infarction is characterized by progressive cardiac hypertrophy and failure. Rats with infarcts greater than 30% of the left ventricle exhibited early and moderate, stages of heart failure 4 and 8 weeks after the occlusion of the left coronary artery, respectively. As heart failure is usually associated with remodeling of the extracellular matrix, a histological and biochemical study of cardiac collagenous proteins was carried out using failing hearts. Total collagen content in the right ventricle increased at 2, 4, and 8 weeks following occlusion of the left coronary artery whereas such a change in viable left ventricle was seen after 4 and 8 weeks. Total cardiac hydroxyproline concentration was increased in both right and left ventricular samples from the infarcted animals when compared to those of control; this increase was due to elevation of pepsin-insoluble collagen fraction. The myocardial noncollagenous/collagenous protein ratio was decreased in experimental right and left ventricular samples when compared to control samples. These findings suggest that an increase in cross-linking of cardiac collagen as well as disparate synthesis of collagenous and noncollagenous proteins occurs in this model of congestive heart, failure.     

Changes in fatty acid compositions of myocardial lipids in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction

Changes in fatty acid composition of myocardial lipids were examined in rats with heart failure following myocardial infarction. Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) was decreased and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was elevated 24 h, 1 and 12 weeks after left coronary artery ligation (CAL), suggesting the development of heart failure at these periods in this model. Hearts were isolated 24 h, 1 week and 12 weeks after the operation. Myocardial lipids in the infarcted scar tissue, non-infarcted remaining left ventricle including interseptum and right ventricle were separated into phospholipid (PL), triacylglycerol (TG), diacylglycerol (DAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) fractions. In the scar tissue PL content markedly decreased whereas TG, DAG and FFA contents increased 24 h after CAL. Despite a marked decrease in constituted fatty acids of PL fraction in the scar tissue the percentage of arachidonic acid in PL was elevated 12 weeks after CAL, suggesting that release of arachidonic acid during PL degradation was suppressed. In the non-infarcted viable left ventricle PL content remained unchanged throughout the experiment whereas TG, DAG and FFA contents were elevated 24 h after CAL. Despite no changes in PL and other lipid contents in the non-infarcted tissue the percentage of linoleic acid in PL was reduced and that of docosahexaenoic acid in PL was elevated 12 weeks after CAL. Our findings showed that myocardial lipid composition of the non-infarcted left ventricle was altered only in an early stage of the development of heart failure and fatty acid compositions of PL was exchanged in a late stage of the development of heart failure. The exchange may be related to cardiac dysfunction or myocardial remodelling in the rat with heart failure.     

Cardiovascular effects of the combination of levosimendan and valsartan in hypertensive Dahl/Rapp rats

Hypertension is the main risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy and development of diastolic heart failure. There is no yet treatment, which can effectively reduce mortality in patients suffering from heart failure with preserved systolic function. We tested whether the calcium sensitizer levosimendan and the AT1-receptor antagonist valsartan could protect from salt-induced hypertension, cardiovascular mortality and heart failure in Dahl/Rapp salt-sensitive rats fed for 7 weeks with a high salt diet (8% NaCl). Levosimendan (1 mg/kg/day via drinking water) and valsartan (30 mg/kg in the food) monotherapies and their combination prevented mortality in Dahl/Rapp rats. The drug combination evoked an additive effect on blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, target organ damage and myocardial ANP mRNA expression. There was a close correlation between systolic blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac and renal damage. As compared to Dahl/Rapp controls kept on low-salt diet (NaCl 0.3%). The high salt rats exhibited impaired diastolic relaxation as assessed by isovolumic relaxation time. Levosimendan alone and in combination with valsartan, improved diastolic relaxation without significantly improving systolic function. Our findings are evidence for an additive effect between levosimendan and valsartan on blood pressure and a blood pressure-dependent protection against the development of salt-induced target organ damage. The present study also demonstrates that levosimendan, alone or in combination with valsartan, can correct diastolic dysfunction induced by salt-dependent hypertension.     

Correlations between adrenal weight and heart weight in rats with a cardiac overload

A significant positive correlation between heart weight and adrenal weight was found in rats with myocardial hypertrophy induced by experimental hyperthyroidism or ligation of the abdominal aorta. The simultaneous administration of digitoxin partly inhibited myocardial hypertrophy after ligation of the abdominal aorta, but not after experimental hyperthyroidism. Digitoxin also inhibited adrenal hypertrophy after ligature of the abdominal aorta but, again, not after experimental hyperthyroidism. The possible existence of an endogenous cardiotropic hormone participating in the development of cardiac hypertrophy from overloading is discussed.     

Evaluation of the cardiovascular function of older adult Rhesus monkeys by ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiovascular structure and function of older adult Rhesus monkey by utrasonography. METHODS: Sixteen monkeys aged from 17 to 20 years and weighing from 8.2 to 15.3 kg, six adults aged 7-8 years and weighing from 8.1 to 9.2 kg. All monkeys were determined to be free from hypertension, hyperglycaemia and cardiac disease. The normal values of index related to heart and blood vessels including structure, haemodynamics and systolic or diastolic function were detected by 2D, M-mode, pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography respectively under ketamine hydrochloride sedation. Meanwhile, blood pressures were also measured by electronic sphygmomanometer. Each monkey underwent repeated detections in 2 weeks and all data were analysed with statistical methods. RESULTS: Compared with young adult monkeys, the older's heart rate (HR), the left ventricular diastolic function and the compliance of big artery including right and left common carotid artery, bulbus caroticus, internal carotid artery and abdominal aorta were decreased and the associated indexes changed significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile, older monkeys exhibited significant increase in the aorta diameter (AO), amplitude of aortic wall (AAO), left atrial diameter (LAD), end diastolic volume of left ventricle (EDV), stroke volume (SV), left ventricular mass (LVM) (P < 0.05 vs. young adult monkeys); however, cardiac output (CO) only slightly increased but the difference did not reach the statistical significance (P = 0.418, P = 0.644 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The present results demonstrated the profiles of cardiovascular function and structure in the older Rhesus monkeys. Older monkey is accompanied by diminished left ventricular diastolic function and big artery compliance. Ultrasonography provides a means to non-invasively evaluate the anatomy and function of the heart and blood vessel, and plays an increasingly important role in the drug evaluation against cardiovascular dysfunction.