Name: a rat model of pressure overload induced moderate remodeling and systolic dysfunction as opposed to overt systolic heart failure
Uploaded: 2020-04-30T14:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Moderate Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction as Opposed to Overt Systolic Heart Failure at JoVE.com

NIH grant HL070241 to P.D.

All methods and procedures described here have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Tulane University School of Medicine.
1. Tools and instruments for AAB model creation
<ol>
	<li>Obtain disinfectants, such as 70% isopropyl alcohol and povidone-iodine.</li>
	<li>Obtain ketamine and xylazine for anesthesia and buprenorphine for analgesia.</li>
	<li>Obtain a heating pad and heavy absorbency disposable underpad with the dimensions of 18 inches x 30 inches....

<ol>
	<li>McMurray, J. J., Petrie, M. C., Murdoch, D. R., Davie, A. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinical+epidemiology+of+heart+failure:+public+and+private+health+burden.">Clinical epidemiology of heart failure: public and private health burden.</a> European Heart Journal. 19 (Suppl P), P9-P16 (1998).</li><li>Berk, B. C., Fujiwara, K., Lehoux, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ECM+remodeling+in+hypertensive+heart+disease.">ECM remodeling in hypertensive heart disease.</a> Journal of Clinical Investigation. 117 (3), 568-575 (2007).</li><li>Frey, N., Olson, E. 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A., Hill, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Autophagy+in+load-induced+heart+disease.">Autophagy in load-induced heart disease.</a> Circulation Research. 103 (12), 1363-1369 (2008).</li><li>Barrick, C. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Parent-of-origin+effects+on+cardiac+response+to+pressure+overload+in+mice.">Parent-of-origin effects on cardiac response to pressure overload in mice.</a> American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 297 (3), H1003-H1009 (2009).</li><li>Barrick, C. J., Rojas, M., Schoonhoven, R., Smyth, S. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiac+response+to+pressure+overload+in+129S1/SvImJ+and+C57BL/6J+mice:+temporal-+and+background-dependent+development+of+concentric+left+ventricular+hypertrophy.">Cardiac response to pressure overload in 129S1/SvImJ and C57BL/6J mice: temporal- and background-dependent development of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy.</a> American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 292 (5), H2119-H2130 (2007).</li><li>Lygate, C. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Serial+high+resolution+3D-MRI+after+aortic+banding+in+mice:+band+internalization+is+a+source+of+variability+in+the+hypertrophic+response.">Serial high resolution 3D-MRI after aortic banding in mice: band internalization is a source of variability in the hypertrophic response.</a> Basic Research in Cardiology. 101 (1), 8-16 (2006).</li><li>Chaanine, A. H., Hajjar, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+the+Differential+Progression+of+Left+Ventricular+Remodeling+in+a+Rat+Model+of+Pressure+Overload+Induced+Heart+Failure.+Does+Clip+Size+Matter?.">Characterization of the Differential Progression of Left Ventricular Remodeling in a Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Heart Failure. Does Clip Size Matter?.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.). 1816, 195-206 (2018).</li><li>Chaanine, A. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondrial+Integrity+and+Function+in+the+Progression+of+Early+Pressure+Overload-Induced+Left+Ventricular+Remodeling.">Mitochondrial Integrity and Function in the Progression of Early Pressure Overload-Induced Left Ventricular Remodeling.</a> Journal of the American Heart Association. 6 (6), (2017).</li><li>Chaanine, A. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Potential+role+of+BNIP3+in+cardiac+remodeling,+myocardial+stiffness,+and+endoplasmic+reticulum:+mitochondrial+calcium+homeostasis+in+diastolic+and+systolic+heart+failure.">Potential role of BNIP3 in cardiac remodeling, myocardial stiffness, and endoplasmic reticulum: mitochondrial calcium homeostasis in diastolic and systolic heart failure.</a> Circulation: Heart Failure. 6 (3), 572-583 (2013).</li><li>Takagawa, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Myocardial+infarct+size+measurement+in+the+mouse+chronic+infarction+model:+comparison+of+area-+and+length-based+approaches.">Myocardial infarct size measurement in the mouse chronic infarction model: comparison of area- and length-based approaches.</a> Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985). 102 (6), 2104-2111 (2007).</li><li>Vietta, G. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Early+use+of+cardiac+troponin-I+and+echocardiography+imaging+for+prediction+of+myocardial+infarction+size+in+Wistar+rats.">Early use of cardiac troponin-I and echocardiography imaging for prediction of myocardial infarction size in Wistar rats.</a> Life Sciences. 93 (4), 139-144 (2013).</li><li>Frangogiannis, N. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+inflammatory+response+in+myocardial+injury,+repair,+and+remodelling.">The inflammatory response in myocardial injury, repair, and remodelling.</a> Nature Reviews. Cardiology. 11 (5), 255-265 (2014).</li><li>Doggrell, S. A., Brown, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rat+models+of+hypertension,+cardiac+hypertrophy+and+failure.">Rat models of hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and failure.</a> Cardiovascular Research. 39 (1), 89-105 (1998).</li></ol>

Following PO related to AAB in rat, the LV undergoes concentric remodeling by increasing LV wall thickness, known as concentric LVH, as a compensatory mechanism to counteract for the increase in LV wall stress. Increase in LV wall thickness becomes noticeable during the first week following AAB and reaches its maximum thickness at 2-3 weeks post-AAB. During this time period, activation of maladaptive signal transduction pathways lead to progressive enlargement of the LV with increases in LV volumes, a process known as ec...

Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent disease and is associated with high morbidity and mortality1. Rodent pressure-overload (PO) models of HF, produced by ascending or transverse aortic banding, are commonly used to explore molecular mechanisms leading to HF and to test potential novel therapeutic targets in HF. They also mimic changes seen in human HF secondary to prolonged systemic hypertension or severe aortic stenosis. Following PO, the left ventricular (LV) wall gradually increases in thickness, a process known as concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH), to compensate and adapt for the increase in LV wall stress. However, this is associated with the activation of a number of maladaptive signaling pathways, which lead to derangements in calcium cycling and homeostasis, metabolic and extracellular matrix remodeling and changes in gene expression as well as enhanced apoptosis and autophagy2,3,4,5,6. These molecular changes constitute the trigger for the initiation and propagation of myocardial remodeling and transition into a decompensated HF phenotype.
Despite the use of inbred rodent strains and standardization of clip size and surgical technique, there is tremendous phenotypic variability in LV chamber structure and function in aortic banding models7,8,9. The phenotypic variability encountered after PO in rat, Sprague-Dawley strain, is described elsewhere10,11. Of those, two HF phenotypes are encountered with evidence of myocardial remodeling and activation of signal transduction pathways leading to a state of heightened oxidative stress. This is associated with metabolic remodeling, altered gene expression and changes in posttranslational modification of proteins, altogether playing a role in the remodeling process10,12. The first is a phenotype of moderate remodeling and early systolic dysfunction (MOD) and the second is a phenotype of overt systolic HF (HFrEF).
The PO model of HF is advantageous over the myocardial infarction (MI) model of HF because the PO-induced circumferential and meridional wall stresses are homogeneously distributed across all segments of the myocardium. However, both models suffer from variability in the severity of PO10,11 and in infarct size13,14 along with intense inflammation and scarring at the infarct site15 as well as adhesion to the chest wall and surrounding tissues, which are observed in the MI model of HF. Moreover, the rat PO induced HF model is challenging to create as it is associated with high mortality and failure rates10, with only 20% of the operated rats developing the MOD HF phenotype10.
The MOD is an attractive HF phenotype and constitutes an evolution of the traditionally created HFrEF phenotype as it allows for early targeting of signal transduction pathways that play a role in myocardial remodeling, especially when it pertains to perturbations in mitochondrial dynamics and function, myocardial metabolism, calcium cycling and extracellular matrix remodeling. These pathophysiological processes are highly evident in the MOD HF phenotype11. In this manuscript, we describe how to create the MOD and HFrEF phenotypes and we address pitfalls while performing the ascending aortic banding (AAB) procedure. We also elaborate on how to best characterize by echocardiography the two HF phenotypes, MOD and HFrEF, and how to differentiate them from other phenotypes that fail to develop severe PO or that develop severe PO and concentric remodeling but without significant eccentric remodeling.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Adson forceps</td>
			<td>F.S.T.</td>
			<td>11019-12</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alm chest retractor with blunt teeth</td>
			<td>ROBOZ</td>
			<td>RS-6510</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Graefe forceps, curved</td>
			<td>F.S.T.</td>
			<td>11152-10</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Halsted-Mosquito Hemostats, straight</td>
			<td>F.S.T.</td>
			<td>13010-12</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hardened fine iris scissors, straight</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools F.S.T.</td>
			<td>14090-11</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>hemoclip traditional-stainless steel ligating clips</td>
			<td>Weck</td>
			<td>523435</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mayo-Hegar needle holder</td>
			<td>F.S.T.</td>
			<td>12004-18</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mechanical ventilator</td>
			<td>CWE inc</td>
			<td>SAR-830/AP</td>
			<td>mechanical ventilator for small animals</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Weck stainless steel Hemoclip ligation</td>
			<td>Weck</td>
			<td>533140</td>
			<td>surgical tool</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a rat model of pressure overload induced moderate remodeling and systolic dysfunction as opposed to overt systolic heart failure

In response to an injury, such as myocardial infarction, prolonged hypertension or a cardiotoxic agent, the heart initially adapts through the activation of signal transduction pathways, to counteract, in the short-term, for the cardiac myocyte loss and or the increase in wall stress. However, prolonged activation of these pathways becomes detrimental leading to the initiation and propagation of cardiac remodeling leading to changes in left ventricular geometry and increases in left ventricular volumes; a phenotype seen in patients with systolic heart failure (HF). Here, we describe the creation of a rat model of pressure overload induced moderate remodeling and early systolic dysfunction (MOD) by ascending aortic banding (AAB) via a vascular clip with an internal area of 2 mm2. The surgery is performed in 200 g Sprague-Dawley rats. The MOD HF phenotype develops at 8-12 weeks after AAB and is characterized noninvasively by means of echocardiography. Previous work suggests the activation of signal transduction pathways and altered gene expression and post-translational modification of proteins in the MOD HF phenotype that mimic those seen in human systolic HF; therefore, making the MOD HF phenotype a suitable model for translational research to identify and test potential therapeutic anti-remodeling targets in HF. The advantages of the MOD HF phenotype compared to the overt systolic HF phenotype is that it allows for the identification of molecular targets involved in the early remodeling process and the early application of therapeutic interventions. The limitation of the MOD HF phenotype is that it may not mimic the spectrum of diseases leading to systolic HF in human. Moreover, it is a challenging phenotype to create, as the AAB surgery is associated with high mortality and failure rates with only 20% of operated rats developing the desired HF phenotype.

Characterization of the HF phenotypes, that develop 8-12 weeks following AAB, could be easily performed via echocardiography. Representative M-mode images of Sham, Week 3 post-AAB, MOD and HFrEF phenotypes are presented in Figure 1A. Figure 1B and Figure 1C are showing the vascular clip size for the creation of the MOD HF phenotype and HFrEF phenotype, respective...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Moderate Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction as Opposed to Overt Systolic Heart Failure at JoVE.com

A Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Moderate Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction as Opposed to Overt Systolic Heart Failure

We describe the creation of a rat model of pressure overload induced moderate remodeling and early systolic dysfunction where signal transduction pathways involved in the initiation of the remodeling process are activated. This animal model will aid in identifying molecular targets for applying early therapeutic anti-remodeling strategies for heart failure.

In response to an injury, such as myocardial infarction, prolonged hypertension or a cardiotoxic agent, the heart initially adapts through the activation ...

The rat pressure overload induced moderate remodeling and early systolic dysfunction model is a milder version of the previously created rat pressure overload induced for systolic heart failure model. The study I love, study of the pathways involved in the initiation and propagation of cardiac remodeling, especially as it pertains to metabolic remodeling, myocardial dysfunction, and calcium cycling. Before beginning the procedure, adjust a vascular hemoclip ligation tool via precut seven inch piece of plastic to modify the clip to the appropriate internal area, depending on which heart failure model is desired.Next, confirm a lack of response to fetal reflex in the anesthetized rat and shave the hair under the right axilla at the right lateral thoracic area. Tape the animal's limbs to a plastic dissection board and intubate the animal with a 16-gauge angiocath. Initiate mechanical ventilation with tidal volumes of two milliliters at 50 cycles per minute and a fraction of inspired oxygen of 21 percent.A symmetrical rise in the chest wall should be observed with each breath. Carefully position the animal onto its left lateral side, and bend the tail in a U-shaped manner. Then gently tape the tail to the plastic board and disinfect the exposed skin with povidone iodine.Using a scalpel, make one to two centimeter horizontal skin incisions in the right axilla area one centimeter below the right axilla and dissect the thoracic muscular layer until the thoracic rib cage is reached. Make a one centimeter thoracotomy between the second and third rib and place a chest retractor into the incision before gently dissecting the two lobes of the thymus gland. Push the lobes to the side and use a curved gray forceps to carefully blunt dissect the ascending aorta from the superior vena cava.Once the ascending aorta has been isolated, use the forceps to carefully lift the vessel and place the vascular clip around the ascending aorta. Then use 2-0 monofilament suture to close the thorax before suturing the muscular layer of the chest via A-3-0 vicryl taper suture, and close the skin by a nylon 3-0 monofilament suture. For echocardiographic imaging, after sedation, remove the hair from the anterior chest of the rat and stabilize the animal in the supine position on a plastic dissection board.Acquire 2D parasternal long-axis and a 2D parasternal short-axis view clips at the level of the papillary muscle. Obtain M-mode images from the short parasternal axis view at the level of the papillary muscle to measure left ventricular septal and posterior wall thickness in diastole and the left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters. Acquire 2D M-mode short parasternal axis view images at the level of the mid-papillary muscle to serve as a reference to obtain reliable serial and subsequent left ventricle measurements.Then obtain M-mode images of the long parasternal axis view at the level of the aortic valve to assess the relative aortic two-left atrium diameter and end-systole. Characterization of the heart failure phenotypes that develop eight to 12 weeks following ascending aortic banding can be easily performed via echocardiography. 2D long parasternal axis and 2D short parasternal axis echocardiography video clips can be used to measure the left ventricle length and area at end-diastole and end-systole in sham and MOD heart failure animals.In this 2D short parasternal axis view, the increased left ventricle hypertrophy and the MOD phenotype can be observed compared to the appearance of the left ventricle in the sham echocardiography image. Left ventricle and diastolic volume in the MOD heart failure phenotype usually ranges between 600 to 700 microliters with vary few animals exhibiting an end-diastolic volume greater than 700 microliters. The left ventricle and systolic volume in the MOD phenotype ranges between 120 to 160 microliters.In these representative pressure volume loop tracings of sham week three post-descending aortic banding, MOD and overt systolic heart failure animals, the left ventricle maximum pressure at week eight is increased dramatically in MOD and overt systolic heart failure animals compared to week three post-descending aortic banding animals. due to the mismatch between the growth of the animal and the aorta and the fixed created stenosis in the ascending aorta. In addition, week three post AAB animals are fully compensated at three weeks with a decrease in the left ventricle and diastolic and asystolic volumes compared to sham animals.Of note, the rat pressure overload induced heart failure model is associated with high mortality and failure rates with only about 20 percent of the rats that undergo ascending aortic banding transitioning to develop the MOD heart failure phenotype. The most important thing to remember is to properly characterize the phenotype of animals by echocardiography so that to narrow the biological variations observed between animals within the same group. In more dynamic assessment using pressure volume loop catheter can be used to assess relaxation, contract dysfunction, and myochardial stiffness.

a-rat-model-pressure-overload-induced-moderate-remodeling-systolic

Research

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Medicine

Orthotopic Aortic Transplantation: A Rat Model to Study the Development of Chronic Vasculopathy

Research models of chronic rejection are essential to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes during the development of transplant vasculopathy (TVP).
The commonly used animal model for cardiovascular chronic rejection studies is the heterotopic heart transplant model performed in laboratory rodents. This model is used widely in experiments since Ono and Lindsey (3) published their technique. To analyze the findings in the blood vessels, the heart has to be sectioned and all vessels have to be measured.
Another method to investigate chronic rejection in cardiovascular questionings is the aortic transplant model (1, 2). In the orthotopic aortic transplant model, the aorta can easily be histologically evaluated (2). The PVG-to-ACI model is especially useful for CAV studies, since acute vascular rejection is not a major confounding factor and Cyclosporin A (CsA) treatment does not prevent the development of CAV, similar to what we find in the clinical setting (4). A7-day period of CsA is required in this model to prevent acute rejection and to achieve long-term survival with the development of TVP.
This model can also be used to investigate acute cellular rejection and media necrosis in xenogeneic models (5).

This video demonstrates the orthotopic aortic transplant model as a simple model to study the development of transplant vasculopathy (TVP) in rats.

Research models of chronic rejection are essential to investigate pathobiological and pathophysiological processes during the development of transplant ...

Gene Transfer for Ischemic Heart Failure in a Preclinical Model

Various emerging technologies are being developed for patients with heart failure. Well-established preclinical evaluations are necessary to determine their efficacy and safety.
Gene therapy using viral vectors is one of the most promising approaches for treating cardiac diseases. Viral delivery of various different genes by changing the carrier gene has immeasurable therapeutic potential.
In this video, the full process of an animal model of heart failure creation followed by gene transfer is presented using a swine model. First, myocardial infarction is created by occluding the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Heart remodeling results in chronic heart failure. Unique to our model is a fairly large scar which truly reflects patients with severe heart failure who require aggressive therapy for positive outcomes. After myocardial infarct creation and development of scar tissue, an intracoronary injection of virus is demonstrated with simultaneous nitroglycerine infusion. Our injection method provides simple and efficient gene transfer with enhanced gene expression. This combination of a myocardial infarct swine model with intracoronary virus delivery has proven to be a consistent and reproducible methodology, which helps not only to test the effect of individual gene, but also compare the efficacy of many genes as therapeutic candidates.

A method of gene transfer for the treatment of ischemic heart failure is described using a swine model of myocardial infarction. Our simple and reproducible method enables us to readily evaluate the efficacy of various gene transfers with a very simple and reproducible way.

Various emerging technologies are being developed for patients with heart failure. Well-established preclinical evaluations are necessary to determine ...

A Rat Carotid Balloon Injury Model to Test Anti-vascular Remodeling Therapeutics

The rat carotid balloon injury is a well-established surgical model that has been used to study arterial remodeling and vascular cell proliferation. It is also a valuable model system to test, and to evaluate therapeutics and drugs that negate maladaptive remodeling in the vessel. The injury, or barotrauma, in the vessel lumen caused by an inflated balloon via an inserted catheter induces subsequent neointimal growth, often leading to hyperplasia or thickening of the vessel wall that narrows, or obstructs the lumen. The method described here is sufficiently sensitive, and the results can be obtained in relatively short time (2 weeks after the surgery). The efficacy of the drug or therapeutic against the induced-remodeling can be evaluated either by the post-mortem pathological and histomorphological analysis, or by ultrasound sonography in live animals. In addition, this model system has also been used to determine the therapeutic window or the time course of the administered drug. These studies can leadto the development of a better administrative strategy and a better therapeutic outcome. The procedure described here provides a tool for translational studies that bring drug and therapeutic candidates from bench research to clinical applications.

The rat carotid balloon injury model described below allows researchers to evaluate drugs or therapeutics that negate injury-induced arterial hyperplasia. Detailed pre-surgical preparation, surgical procedure, and post-surgical cares of the animal are described.

The rat carotid balloon injury is a well-established surgical model that has been used to study arterial remodeling and vascular cell proliferation. It is ...

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine

A stable and reliable model of chronic heart failure is required for many experiments to understand hemodynamics or to test effects of new treatment methods. Here, we present such a model by tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, which can be produced by rapid cardiac pacing in swine.
A single pacing lead is introduced transvenously into fully anaesthetized healthy swine, to the apex of the right ventricle, and fixated. Its other end is then tunneled dorsally to the paravertebral region. There, it is connected to an in-house modified heart pacemaker unit that is then implanted in a subcutaneous pocket. 
After 4 - 8 weeks of rapid ventricular pacing at rates of 200 - 240 beats/min, physical examination revealed signs of severe heart failure - tachypnea, spontaneous sinus tachycardia, and fatigue. Echocardiography and X-ray showed dilation of all heart chambers, effusions, and severe systolic dysfunction. These findings correspond well to decompensated dilated cardiomyopathy and are also preserved after the cessation of pacing.
This model of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy can be used for studying the pathophysiology of progressive chronic heart failure, especially hemodynamic changes caused by new treatment modalities like mechanical circulatory supports. This methodology is easy to perform and the results are robust and reproducible.

Here, we present a protocol to produce tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in swine. This model represents a potent way to study the hemodynamics of progressive chronic heart failure and the effects of applied treatment.

A stable and reliable model of chronic heart failure is required for many experiments to understand hemodynamics or to test effects of new treatment ...

Isolation of Atrial Cardiomyocytes from a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome-related Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

In this article, we describe an optimized, Langendorff-based procedure for the isolation of single-cell atrial cardiomyocytes (ACMs) from a rat model of metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The prevalence of MetS-related HFpEF is rising, and atrial cardiomyopathies associated with atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation are clinically highly relevant as atrial remodeling is an independent predictor of mortality. Studies with isolated single-cell cardiomyocytes are frequently used to corroborate and complement in vivo findings. Circulatory vessel rarefication and interstitial tissue fibrosis pose a potentially limiting factor for the successful single-cell isolation of ACMs from animal models of this disease.
We have addressed this issue by employing a device capable of manually regulating the intraluminal pressure of cardiac cavities during the isolation procedure, substantially increasing the yield of morphologically and functionally intact ACMs. The acquired cells can be used in a variety of different experiments, such as cell culture and functional Calcium imaging (i.e., excitation-contraction-coupling).
We provide the researcher with a step-by-step protocol, a list of optimized solutions, thorough instructions to prepare the necessary equipment, and a comprehensive troubleshooting guide. While the initial implementation of the procedure might be rather difficult, a successful adaptation will allow the reader to perform state-of-the-art ACM isolations in a rat model of MetS-related HFpEF for a broad spectrum of experiments.

Here, we describe an optimized, Langendorff-based procedure for the isolation of single-cell atrial cardiomyocytes from a rat model of metabolic syndrome-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. A manual regulation of intraluminal pressure of cardiac cavities is implemented to yield functionally intact myocytes suitable for excitation-contraction-coupling studies.

In this article, we describe an optimized, Langendorff-based procedure for the isolation of single-cell atrial cardiomyocytes (ACMs) from a rat model of ...

A Pulmonary Trunk Banding Model of Pressure Overload Induced Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure

Right ventricular (RV) failure induced by sustained pressure overload is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in several cardiopulmonary disorders. Reliable and reproducible animal models of RV failure are therefore warranted in order to investigate disease mechanisms and effects of potential therapeutic strategies. Banding of the pulmonary trunk is a common method to induce isolated RV hypertrophy but in general, previously described models have not succeeded in creating a stable model of RV hypertrophy and failure.
We present a rat model of pressure overload induced RV hypertrophy caused by pulmonary trunk banding (PTB) that enables different phenotypes of RV hypertrophy with and without RV failure. We use a modified ligating clip applier to compress a titanium clip around the pulmonary trunk to a pre-set inner diameter. We use different clip diameters to induce different stages of disease progression from mild RV hypertrophy to decompensated RV failure.
RV hypertrophy develops consistently in rats subjected to the PTB procedure and depending on the diameter of the applied banding clip, we can accurately reproduce different disease severities ranging from compensated hypertrophy to severe decompensated RV failure with extra-cardiac manifestations.
The presented PTB model is a valid and robust model of pressure overload induced RV hypertrophy and failure that has several advantages to other banding models including high reproducibility and the possibility of inducing severe and decompensated RV failure.

We present a surgical method to induce right ventricular hypertrophy and failure in rats.

Right ventricular (RV) failure induced by sustained pressure overload is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in several cardiopulmonary ...

An Image Guided Transapical Mitral Valve Leaflet Puncture Model of Controlled Volume Overload from Mitral Regurgitation in the Rat

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a widely prevalent heart valve lesion, which causes cardiac remodeling and leads to congestive heart failure. Though the risks of uncorrected MR and its poor prognosis are known, the longitudinal changes in cardiac function, structure and remodeling are incompletely understood. This knowledge gap has limited our understanding of the optimal timing for MR correction, and the benefit that early versus late MR correction may have on the left ventricle. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie left ventricular remodeling in the setting of MR, animal models are necessary. Traditionally, the aorto-caval fistula model has been used to induce volume overload, which differs from clinically relevant lesions such as MR. MR represents a low-pressure volume overload hemodynamic stressor, which requires animal models that mimic this condition. Herein, we describe a rodent model of severe MR in which the anterior leaflet of the rat mitral valve is perforated with a 23G needle, in a beating heart, with echocardiographic image guidance. The severity of MR is assessed and confirmed with echocardiography, and the reproducibility of the model is reported.&#160;&#160;

A rodent model of left heart volume overload from mitral regurgitation is reported. Mitral regurgitation of controlled severity is induced by advancing a needle of defined dimensions into the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve, in a beating heart, with ultrasound guidance.&#160;

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a widely prevalent heart valve lesion, which causes cardiac remodeling and leads to congestive heart failure. Though the ...

Chronic Ovine Model of Right Ventricular Failure and Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

The pathophysiology of severe functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) associated with right ventricular dysfunction is poorly understood, leading to suboptimal clinical results. We set out to establish a chronic ovine model of FTR and right heart failure to investigate the mechanisms of FTR. Twenty adult male sheep (6-12 months old, 62 &#177; 7 kg) underwent a left thoracotomy and baseline echocardiography. A pulmonary artery band (PAB) was placed and cinched around the main pulmonary artery (PA) to at least double the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), inducing right ventricular (RV) pressure overload and signs of RV dilatation. PAB acutely increased the SPAP from 21 &#177; 2 mmHg to 62 &#177; 2 mmHg. The animals were followed for 8 weeks, symptoms of heart failure were treated with diuretics, and surveillance echocardiography was used to assess for pleural and abdominal fluid collection. Three animals died during the follow-up period due to stroke, hemorrhage, and acute heart failure. After 2 months, a median sternotomy and epicardial echocardiography were performed. Of the surviving 17 animals, 3 developed mild tricuspid regurgitation, 3 developed moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and 11 developed severe tricuspid regurgitation. Eight weeks of pulmonary artery banding resulted in a stable chronic ovine model of right ventricular dysfunction and significant FTR. This large animal platform can be used to further investigate the structural and molecular basis of RV failure and functional tricuspid regurgitation.

Right ventricular failure and functional tricuspid regurgitation are associated with left-sided heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, which contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in patients. Establishing a chronic ovine model to study right ventricular failure and functional tricuspid regurgitation will help in understanding their mechanisms, progression, and possible treatments.

The pathophysiology of severe functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) associated with right ventricular dysfunction is poorly understood, leading to ...

Therapeutic Potential of Tuina Massage for Knee Osteoarthritis

Tuina Intervention in Sodium Monoiodoacetate Injection-Induced Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a common degenerative joint disorder, is characterized by chronic pain and disability, which can progress to irreparable structural damage of the joint. Investigations into the link between articular cartilage, muscles, synovium, and other tissues surrounding the knee joint in KOA are of great importance. Currently, managing KOA includes lifestyle modifications, exercise, medication, and surgical interventions; however, the elucidation of the intricate mechanisms underlying KOA-related pain is still lacking. Consequently, KOA pain remains a key clinical challenge and a therapeutic priority. Tuina has been found to have a regulatory effect on the motor, immune, and endocrine systems, prompting the exploration of whether Tuina could alleviate KOA symptoms, caused by the upregulation of inflammatory factors, and further, if the inflammatory factors in skeletal muscle can augment the progression of KOA.
We randomized 32 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (180-220 g) into four groups of eight animals each: antiPD-L1+Tuina (group A), model (group B), Tuina (group C), and sham surgery (group D). For groups A, B, and C, we injected 25 &#181;L of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) solution (4 mg MIA diluted in 25 &#181;L of sterile saline solution) into the right knee joint cavity, and for group D, the same amount of sterile physiological saline was injected. All the groups were evaluated using the least to most stressful tests (paw mechanical withdrawal threshold, paw withdrawal thermal latency, swelling of the right knee joint, Lequesne MG score, skin temperature) before injection and 2, 9, and 16 days after injection.

Author Spotlight: Treating Knee Osteoarthritis with Tuina - A New Perspective 

This protocol describes the methods of Tuina intervention in sodium monoiodoacetate injection-induced rat model of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), which provides a reference for the application of Tuina in KOA animal models. This protocol also studies the effective mechanism of Tuina for KOA, and the results will help promote its application.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a common degenerative joint disorder, is characterized by chronic pain and disability, which can progress to irreparable ...

Scopolamine-Induced Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction in Rats

A Rat Dry Eye Model with Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction Induced by Scopolamine

Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) is a type of dry eye disease that can result in the reduction of tear secretion quantity and quality. Prolonged abnormal tear production can lead to a disturbance in the ocular surface environment, including corneal damage and inflammation. In severe cases, ADDE can cause vision loss or even blindness. Currently, dry eye treatment is limited to eye drops or physical therapy, which can only alleviate eye discomfort symptoms and cannot fundamentally cure dry eye syndrome. To restore the function of the lacrimal gland in dry eye, we have created an animal model of lacrimal gland dysfunction in rats induced by scopolamine. Through the comprehensive evaluation of the lacrimal gland, corneas, conjunctivas, and other factors, we aim to provide a full understanding of the pathological changes of ADDE. Compared with the current dry eye mouse model, this ADDE animal model includes a functional evaluation of the lacrimal gland, providing a better platform for studying lacrimal gland dysfunction in ADDE.

Author Spotlight: Challenges in Developing Dry Eye Animal Models and Future Research Directions

Here, we establish a rat model of lacrimal gland dysfunction to provide a basis for the study of aqueous-deficient dry eye.

Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) is a type of dry eye disease that can result in the reduction of tear secretion quantity and quality. Prolonged abnormal ...