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Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on left ventricular geometry in rats subjected to coronary occlusion and
Mickey Scheinowitz1, Arkady-Avi Kotlyar, Shachar Zimand
1Neufeld Cardiac Research Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. mickeys@post.tau.ac.il
Insights
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) did not improve left ventricular geometry or cellular proliferation after heart attack in rats. This study investigated bFGF
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Regenerative Medicine
- Ischemic Heart Disease
Background:
- Previous research indicated basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can salvage myocardium after ischemia or infarction.
- The potential of bFGF in cardiac repair warrants further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of bFGF on left ventricular (LV) morphometry post-coronary occlusion and reperfusion in a rat model.
- To assess bFGF's effect on cellular proliferation in injured cardiac tissue.
Main Methods:
- Rats received continuous bFGF (0.5 mg) or placebo via osmotic pump for one week.
- Myocardial cross-sections were analyzed 6 weeks post-surgery using Masson's trichrome and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibody staining.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in LV area, cavity diameter, cavity/wall thickness ratio, or infarct size between bFGF-treated and control groups.
- While injured myocardium showed increased proliferating endothelial cells, bFGF treatment did not alter this proliferation rate.
Conclusions:
- One week of systemic bFGF administration following coronary occlusion and reperfusion did not provide additional benefits for LV geometry or cellular proliferation in rats.
- These findings suggest limited efficacy of this bFGF treatment regimen in this specific cardiac injury model.
Background:
Previous studies have demonstrated myocardial salvage by basic fibroblast growth factor administration following chronic myocardial ischemia or acute myocardial infarction.
Objectives:
To study the effect of bFGF on left ventricular morphometry following coronary occlusion and reperfusion episode in rats.
Methods:
bFGF (0.5 mg) or placebo was continuously administered for a period of one week using an implanted osmotic pump. Animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after surgery and myocardial cross-sections were stained with Massontrichrome and with anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen antibody.
Results:
LV area, LV cavity diameter, LV cavity/wall thickness ratio, and injury size were unchanged compared with control animals. Proliferating endothelial cells were significantly more abundant in injured compared with normal myocardium, but with no differences between animals treated or not treated with bFGF.
Conclusions:
One week of systemic bFGF administration following coronary occlusion and reperfusion had no additional effect on LV geometry or cellular proliferation in rats.