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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Published on: February 16, 2011
Visualizing myocardial inflammation in a rat model of type 4 cardiorenal syndrome by dual-modality molecular imaging
Di Chang1, Yuan-Cheng Wang1, Shi-Jun Zhang1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Abstract:
Type 4 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a life-threatening world health problem in which chronic kidney disease leads to progressive cardiovascular disease. In type 4 CRS, cardiac inflammation is an excellent target for both detection and therapy; however, this progression was underestimated by previous studies due to the lack of effective detection methods. To noninvasively visualize cardiac inflammation and monitor therapeutic efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatment in type 4 CRS, we here synthesized a dual-modality magneto-fluorescent nanoparticle (MNP) by combining ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle and Rhodamine B for both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging. This dual-functional MNP exhibited excellent performance such as high r2 relaxivity coefficient (283.4 mM(-1) s(-1)), high magnetism (96.7 emu/g iron) and a near neutral surface charge to minimize the reticuloendothelial system uptake. In vivo cardiac MRI showed significant negative contrast in the type 4 CRS rats, and the signal intensity on optical imaging was significantly higher in the type 4 CRS group compared with sham-operated and drug-treated groups. The specific targeting profile of MNPs to monocyte-macrophages was proven by histopathological analysis. Taken together, we demonstrate that this dual-modality strategy is feasible for noninvasively assessing myocardial inflammation and monitoring therapeutic efficacy in type 4 CRS.
Insights
A novel dual-modality nanoparticle enables noninvasive detection and monitoring of cardiac inflammation in type 4 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). This advancement aids in assessing treatment efficacy for this life-threatening condition.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Type 4 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) involves chronic kidney disease leading to cardiovascular disease.
- Cardiac inflammation in type 4 CRS is a critical but underestimated factor.
- Lack of effective detection methods has hindered understanding and treatment of cardiac inflammation in type 4 CRS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a noninvasive method for visualizing cardiac inflammation in type 4 CRS.
- To monitor the therapeutic efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatments in type 4 CRS.
- To create a dual-modality nanoparticle for combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a dual-modality magneto-fluorescent nanoparticle (MNP) combining ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide and Rhodamine B.
- Characterization of MNP properties including relaxivity, magnetism, and surface charge.
- In vivo evaluation using cardiac MRI and optical imaging in type 4 CRS rat models.
Main Results:
- The synthesized MNP demonstrated high r2 relaxivity and magnetism with minimal reticuloendothelial system uptake.
- In vivo cardiac MRI revealed significant negative contrast in type 4 CRS rats.
- Optical imaging showed higher signal intensity in type 4 CRS rats compared to controls and drug-treated groups, with histopathology confirming MNP targeting of monocyte-macrophages.
Conclusions:
- The dual-modality MNP strategy is effective for noninvasive assessment of myocardial inflammation in type 4 CRS.
- This approach allows for monitoring the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapies.
- This technology holds promise for improving the diagnosis and management of type 4 CRS.
