Studying Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling by Aortic Debanding in Rodents

Summary

Here we describe a step-by-step protocol of surgical aorta debanding in the well-established mice model of aortic-constriction. This procedure not only allows studying the mechanisms underlying the left ventricular reverse remodeling and regression of hypertrophy but also to test novel therapeutic options that might accelerate myocardial recovery.

Abstract

To better understand the left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (RR), we describe a rodent model wherein, after aortic banding-induced LV remodeling, mice undergo RR upon removal of the aortic constriction. In this paper, we describe a step-by-step procedure to perform a minimally invasive surgical aortic debanding in mice. Echocardiography was subsequently used to assess the degree of cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction during LV remodeling and RR and to determine the best timing for aortic debanding. At the end of the protocol, terminal hemodynamic evaluation of the cardiac function was conducted, and samples were collected for histological studies. We showed that debanding is associated with surgical survival rates of 70-80%. Moreover, two weeks after debanding, the significant reduction of ventricular afterload triggers the regression of ventricular hypertrophy (~20%) and fibrosis (~26%), recovery of diastolic dysfunction as assessed by the normalization of left ventricular filling and end-diastolic pressures (E/e' and LVEDP). Aortic debanding is a useful experimental model to study LV RR in rodents. The extent of myocardial recovery is variable between subjects, therefore, mimicking the diversity of RR that occurs in the clinical context, such as aortic valve replacement. We conclude that the aortic banding/debanding model represents a valuable tool to unravel novel insights into the mechanisms of RR, namely the regression of cardiac hypertrophy and the recovery of diastolic dysfunction.

Introduction

The constriction of the transverse or ascending aorta in the mouse is a widely used experimental model for pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy, diastolic and systolic dysfunction and heart failure^1,2,3,4. Aortic-constriction initially leads to compensated left ventricle (LV) concentric hypertrophy to normalize wall stress¹. However, under certain circumstances, such as prolonged cardiac overload, this hypertrophy is insufficient to decrease the wall stress, triggering diastolic and systolic dysfunction (path....

Protocol

All animal experiments comply with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publication no. 85–23, revised 2011) and the Portuguese law on animal welfare (DL 129/92, DL 197/96; P 1131/97). The competent local authorities approved this experimental protocol (018833). Seven-week-old male C57B1/J6 mice were maintained in appropriate cages, with a regular 12/12 h light-dark cycle environment, a temperature of 22 °C and 60% humidity with access to water and a standard diet ad libitum.

1. Preparation of the surgical field

1. Disinfect the operation site with 70% alcohol and place a disposable operating room ta....

Results

Post-operative and late survival
The perioperative survival of the banding procedure is 80% and the mortality during the first month is typically <20%. As previously mentioned, the success of the debanding surgery is highly dependent on how invasive the previous surgery was. After a learning curve, the mortality rate during the debanding procedures is around 25%. For this mortality accounts mostly deaths during the surgery procedure, including aorta or left atrium rupture (in rats, the survival ra.......

Discussion

The model proposed herein mimics the process of LV remodeling and RR after aortic banding and debanding, respectively. Therefore, it represents an excellent experimental model to advance our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms involved in the adverse LV remodeling and to test novel therapeutic strategies able to induce myocardial recovery of these patients. This protocol details steps on how to create a rodent animal model of aortic banding and debanding with a minimally invasive and highly conservative surgical techni.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Absorption Spears	F.S.T	18105-03	To absorb fluids during the surgery
Blades	F.S.T	10011-00	To perform the skin incision
Buprenorphine	Buprelieve		Analgesia drug
Catutery	F.S.T	18010-00	To prevent exsanguination
Catutery tips	F.S.T	18010-01	To prevent exsanguination
cotton swab	Johnson's		To absorb fluids during the surgery
Depilatory cream	Veet		To delipate the animal
Disposable operating room table cover	MEDKINE	DYND4030SB	To cover the surgical area
Echo probe	Siemens	Sequoia 15L8W	Ultrasound signal aquisition
Echocardiograph	Siemens	Acuson Sequoia C512	Ultrasound signal aquisition
End-tidal CO2 monitor	Kent Scientific	CapnoStat	To control expiration gas saturation
Forcep/Tweezers	F.S.T	11255-20	To dissect the tissues and aorta
Forcep/Tweezers	F.S.T	11272-30	To dissect the tissues and aorta
Forcep/Tweezers	F.S.T	11151-10	To dissect the tissues and aorta
Forcep/Tweezers	F.S.T	11152-10	To dissect the tissues and aorta
Gas system	Penlon Sigma Delta		To anesthesia and mechanical ventilation
Hemostats	F.S.T	13010-12	To hold the suture before tight the aorta
Hemostats	F.S.T	13011-12	To hold the suture before tight the aorta
Ligation aids	F.S.T	18062-12	To place a suture around the aorta
Magnetic retractor	F.S.T	18200-20	To help keep the animal in a proper position
Needle holder	F.S.T	12503-15	To suture the animal
Needle 26G	B-BRAUN	4665457	To serve as a molde of aortic constriction diameter
Oxygen	Air Liquide		To anesthesia and mechanical ventilation
Polipropilene suture	Vycril	W8304/W8597	To suture the animal and to do the constriction
Povidone-iodine solution	Betadine®		Skin antiseptic
PowerLab	Millar instruments	ML880 PowerLab 16/30	PV loop Signal Aquisition
Pulse oximeter	Kent Scientific	MouseStat	To control heart rate and blood saturation
PVAN software	Millar Instruments		To analyse the haemodynamic data
PV loop cathether	Millar instruments	SPR-1035. 1.4 F	PV loop Signal Aquisition
Retractor	F.S.T	17000-01	To provide a better overview of the aorta
Scalpet handle	F.S.T	10003-12	To perform the skin incision
Scissors	F.S.T	15070-08	To cut the suture in debanding surgery
Scissors	F.S.T	14084-09	To cut other material during the surgery e.g. suture, papper
Sevoflurane	Baxter	533-CA2L9117
Temperature control module	Kent Scientific	RightTemp	To control animal corporal temperature
Ventilator	Kent Scientific	PhysioSuite	To ventilate the animal
Water-bath	Thermo Scientific™	TSGP02	To maintain water temperature adequate to heat the P-V loop catethers