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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
A Model of Cardiac Remodeling Through Constriction of the Abdominal Aorta in Rats
Published on: December 2, 2016
Morphological and stereological characteristics of myocardial remodeling in aged spontaneously hypertensive SHR rats
E L Lushnikova1, L M Nepomnyashchikh
1Laboratory of Cytology and Cell Biology, Institute of Regional Pathology and Pathomorphology, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Novosibirsk. pathol@ceber.ma.nsk.ru
Insights
Age-related myocardial remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) involves cardiomyocyte loss, hypertrophy, and increased connective tissue. This study details the structural changes and microvascular damage in aging SHR hearts.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pathology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit age-related cardiac hypertrophy.
- Understanding myocardial remodeling is crucial for cardiovascular disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the structural and cellular changes in the myocardium of aging SHR.
- To investigate the extent of fibrosis and microvascular damage in hypertrophic SHR hearts.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of myocardial tissue from aging SHR.
- Assessment of cardiomyocyte size, number, and connective tissue volume.
- Evaluation of microvascular integrity and cellular damage.
Main Results:
- Observed cardiomyocyte elimination, hypertrophy, and increased connective tissue volume.
- Found increased cardiomyocyte contracture injuries and perivascular/interstitial sclerosis.
- Revealed degenerative changes in the microcirculatory bed and atypical intracellular regeneration in cardiomyocytes.
Conclusions:
- Age-related myocardial remodeling in SHR is characterized by significant fibrosis and cardiomyocyte pathology.
- Microvascular damage and impaired regeneration contribute to cardiac dysfunction in aging SHR.
- These findings highlight the complex structural alterations in hypertensive heart disease progression.
Abstract:
Myocardial remodeling in SHR rats with age-related hypertrophy was characterized by elimination of cardiomyocytes, their hypertrophy, and marked increase in the volume of the connective tissue. The count of cardiomyocytes with contracture injuries and subsegmental contractures increased, and pronounced perivascular and interstitial sclerosis developed in the hypertrophic myocardium of SHR rats. Damage to the microcirculatory bed manifested in degenerative changes and destruction of some endotheliocytes. Signs of atypical intracellular regeneration in myofibrils and impairment of their longitudinal orientation were revealed in cardiomyocytes in the late stage of compensatory hypertrophy.
