A Murine Model of Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury through Ligation of the Left Anterior Descending Artery

Zhaobin Xu; Jenna Alloush; Eric Beck; Noah Weisleder

doi:10.3791/51329

A Murine Model of Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury through Ligation of the Left Anterior De...

JoVE Journal
Medicine

A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.

JoVE Journal Medicine

A Murine Model of Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury through Ligation of the Left Anterior Descending Artery

Full Text

41,417 Views

11:07 min

April 10, 2014

DOI: 10.3791/51329-v

Zhaobin Xu¹, Jenna Alloush¹, Eric Beck¹, Noah Weisleder¹

¹Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology,The Ohio State University

Overview

This article presents a surgical method to induce ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in mouse models, simulating myocardial infarction (MI). The technique enhances the precision of ligation on the left anterior descending artery (LAD), improving the reproducibility of MI experiments.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Cardiovascular research
Experimental surgery
Ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background

Myocardial infarction is a critical condition affecting heart function.
Reproducibility in experimental models is essential for reliable results.
Ischemia/reperfusion injury mimics clinical scenarios of heart attacks.
Precise surgical techniques can enhance experimental outcomes.

Purpose of Study

To develop a reliable method for inducing MI in mice.
To improve the clarity of surgical procedures involving the LAD.
To facilitate better measurement of myocardial infarct severity.

Methods Used

Thoracotomy to expose the LAD.
Ligation of the LAD to occlude blood flow.
Reperfusion of the artery after an ischemic period.
Analysis of serum biomarkers and heart tissue histology.

Main Results

The method successfully induced I/R injury in mouse models.
Clear positioning of the ligation improved reproducibility.
Serum biomarker levels correlated with histological findings.
The technique can be used for further cardiovascular research.

Conclusions

The surgical method enhances the study of myocardial infarction.
Improved reproducibility can lead to better understanding of heart conditions.
This approach may aid in the development of therapeutic strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the LAD in this procedure?

The LAD is crucial as it supplies blood to a significant portion of the heart, and its occlusion simulates myocardial infarction.

How does this method improve reproducibility?

By providing a clear and precise technique for ligation, it minimizes variability in experimental outcomes.

What are the main outcomes measured in this study?

Serum biomarker levels and histological analysis of heart tissue are the primary outcomes.

Can this method be applied to other animal models?

While this study focuses on mice, the principles may be adapted for other models with appropriate modifications.

What are the potential applications of this research?

This research can aid in understanding myocardial infarction and developing new treatments for heart disease.

Is this method suitable for long-term studies?

Yes, the method allows for the assessment of long-term effects of ischemia/reperfusion injury in mouse models.

We introduce a surgical method to induce experimental ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury to simulate myocardial infarction (MI) in mouse models that allows for more clarity in positioning of the ligation on the left anterior descending artery (LAD) to increase the reproducibility of MI experiments in mice.

The overall goal of this procedure is to occlude blood flow into a portion of the heart to produce ischemia reperfusion injury. For simulating a myocardial infarct, this is accomplished by first conducting a thoracotomy to expose the left anterior descending artery or LAD. In the second step, a suture is tied around the LAD to stop the blood flow.

Then after an ischemic period, the suture is removed and the artery is reperfused with blood. In the final step, the surgical incision is closed. Ultimately, the severity of myocardial infarct can be measured by the analysis of serum biomarker levels and the histology of the heart tissue.

View the full transcript and gain access to thousands of scientific videos