Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MRDTI) technique in displaying myocardial fiber architecture. Methods In five ex vivo swine heart, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was acquired in 25 directions within 2 hours after excision. The myocardial fiber was reconstructed by using brain white matter tractography algorithm to display its course, distribution and arrangement. Results In the swine heart 1 hour after excision, MRDTI revealed that the arrangement of the myocardial fiber had certain continuity. It spiraled and twisted to form the left and right ventricle. The divection of general myocardial fiber in the left ventricle was vertical below endocardium, horizontal below epicardium and oblique in stratum medium, which is consistent with the theory of ventricular myocardial band. Conclusion MRDTI can reveal the myocardial fiber architecture, showing its integrity and arrangement, and at some level confirming the theory of ventricular myocardial band.
Abstract: Objective To solve the problem that myocardial band of stale hearts treated by formaldehyde cann’t be used for research study. Methods Twenty sheep’s hearts and 20 pig’s hearts were randomly distributed to 3 groups, group 1: fresh pig’s hearts(n=10) and fresh sheep’s hearts (n=10) were dissected by Torrent-Guasp’s method; group 2: pig’s hearts (n=5) and sheep’s hearts (n=5) treated by formaldehyde were dissected by Torrent-Guasp’s method; group 3: pig’s hearts (n=5) and sheep’s hearts (n=5) treated by formaldehyde were dissected by new method. Results All samples in group 1 were successfully unrolled to a myocardial band composed of basal loop and apical loop. The dissecting of samples in group2 were difficult. The root of pulmonary artery and ascending aorta failed to be unfolded because fibrous tissue was tough, right and left fibrous trigone were too firm to be solved by hand. Cardiac muscle fibers couldn’t be stripped along myofibrillar trajectory since they were prone to break because of their friability. On the other hand, being dissected along nature myofibrillar trajectory, all samples in group 3 were successfully unrolled to a myocardial band composed of basal loop and apical loop. Furthermore, myofibrillar trajectory was clear and the exposure of crossing angle between apical ascending segment and descending segment was ideal. Conclusion With Torrent-Guasp’s method, the dissection of myocardial band of hearts was successful in fresh heart, but not in stale heart. On the other hand, with new method, the dissection of myocardial band of hearts was achieved in stale heart group. Our method in this research is a reliable way on dissection of myocardial band in stale hearts treated by formaldehyde.
Objective To investigate the effects of granulocyto-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the mobil ization of endothel ial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the rats with myocardial infarction (MI), to observe the density of neovascularization and the mRNA expressions of vascular endothel ial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (Flk-1) in the border area of MI. Methods Thirty-six adult male rats (weighing 250-280 g) were divided randomly into control group, MI group, and G-CSF group. In MI group and G-CSF group, the models of MI were establ ished by left anterior descenting coronary artery l igation and were treated with intraperitoneal injection of sal ine (0.3 mL/d) or G-CSF [30 μg/(kg•d)] for 5 days. In control group, after open chest operation, chest was closed without treatment. The level of EPCs was surveyed and the plasma concentrations of VEGF and C-reaction protein (CRP) were measured at 7 days. The mRNA expressions of VEGFand its receptor Flk-1 in the border area of infarct myocardium were determined through RT-PCR. Results Compared withcontrol group, the number of circulating white blood cell (WBC) and EPCs levels, and the serum concentrations of VEGF and CRP were all significantly increased in MI group and G-CSF group (P lt; 0.05); when compared with MI group, the number of circulating WBC and EPCs levels, and the serum concentrations of VEGF were increased and the concentration of CRP was decreased in G-CSF group (P lt; 0.05). Compared with control group, the mRNA expressions of VEGF and Flk-1, and the density of neovascularization in the border area of infarct myocardium were increased in MI group and G-CSF group, whereas those in G-CSF group were significantly augmented compared with MI group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion In the rats with MI, G-CSF could promote EPCs mobil ization, increase the mRNA expressions of VEGF and Flk-1, and augment the density of neovascularization in the border area of infarct myocardium.