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Preconditioning limits myocardial infarct size in hypercholesterolemic rabbits
D T Kremastinos1, E Bofilis, G K Karavolias
1Second Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 356 Sygrou Avenue, 17674, Athens, Greece. elbee@ath.forthnet.gr
Atherosclerosis
|April 27, 2000
Summary
This study investigated if high cholesterol impacts heart protection. Results show that preconditioning remains effective in hypercholesterolemia, suggesting it may still protect the heart.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for coronary artery disease and endothelial dysfunction.
- Endothelial-derived substances may play a role in ischemic preconditioning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if preconditioning is attenuated in a hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis animal model.
- To assess the protective effects of preconditioning in a relevant clinical context.
Main Methods:
- Male rabbits were fed a cholesterol-rich diet or normal diet, then divided into preconditioned and non-preconditioned groups.
- Animals underwent 30 minutes of ischemia followed by 180 minutes of reperfusion.
- Infarct and risk areas were quantified; cholesterol levels and histopathology were examined.
Main Results:
- Hypercholesterolemia was successfully induced in the relevant rabbit groups.
- Preconditioning significantly reduced infarct size in both normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits (P<0.01).
- The infarct-to-risk area ratio was significantly lower in preconditioned groups.
Conclusions:
- Preconditioning demonstrates protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury even in the presence of hypercholesterolemia.
- Hypercholesterolemia does not appear to attenuate the beneficial effects of preconditioning.