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An improved isolated, left ventricular ejecting, murine heart model. Functional and metabolic evaluation
L J De Windt1, J Willems, R S Reneman
1Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, NL-6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology
|February 4, 1999
Summary
This study presents an improved isolated mouse heart model for cardiac research. The model demonstrates stable function and physiological responses, making it valuable for studying heart performance and metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Animal Models
Background:
- Developing robust isolated heart models is crucial for studying cardiac function and disease.
- Existing models may lack stability or fail to replicate in vivo physiological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate an improved isolated, left ventricular-ejecting, murine heart model.
- To optimize perfusate composition and artificial aortic outflow tract design for stable cardiac performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an isolated perfused murine heart model with a specifically designed aortic outflow tract.
- Perfusate contained glucose, insulin, and pyruvate, maintained at 38.5°C.
- Evaluated cardiac output (CO), left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), and pressure derivatives (dP/dt) under varying preload and afterload conditions and calcium concentrations.
Main Results:
- The model achieved baseline CO, LVDP, and LV dP/dtmax values comparable to intact mice.
- Cardiac output remained stable (<10% decline) over 100 minutes of normoxic perfusion.
- Demonstrated typical Frank-Starling relationships and improved function at higher calcium concentrations (2.5 mM).
- Metabolic markers such as phosphocreatine, creatine, and adenine nucleotides remained stable, with increased glycogen content.
Conclusions:
- The developed isolated murine heart model provides a stable and physiologically relevant platform for cardiovascular research.
- The optimized design and perfusate support sustained cardiac function and metabolic integrity.
- This model is suitable for investigating cardiac performance, response to interventions, and metabolic pathways.