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Repeated Low-dose of Erythropoietin is Associated with Improved Left Ventricular Function in Rat Acute Myocardial Infarction Model

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the potential protective affects of Epo on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

Epo was injected into the peritoneum of male Wistar rats (250 g) during 6 weeks post induction of MI. Rats were divided into five groups: MI treated with single high dose (MT1, 5,000 U/kg, n = 10), single high dose (5,000 U/kg) and repeated high doses (MTHi, 1,000 U/kg twice a week; n = 8), or single high dose (5,000 U/kg) and repeated low doses (MTLo, 750 U/kg once a week, n = 10), MI non-treated (MNT, n = 10), sham (S, n = 5). Echocardiography was performed 3.6 ± 1.5 days and 43.7 ± 2.3 days post MI. Collagen deposition and infarct size were measured on histological sections using computerized image analysis. Apoptosis was assessed by ApopTag staining.

Results

Baseline fractional shortening (FS) was similar between groups. Six weeks after MI the FS of MTLo (26.9%) was significantly higher compared to MNT (17.8%), MT1 (19.5%) and MTH (22.3%) (p = 0.01). However, remodeling indices (end diastolic and end systolic areas, LV circumference) did not improve in the Epo groups, and even worsened in the MTHi group. There was significantly less collagen staining in non-infarct areas in MT1 and MTHi groups compared to MNT and MTLo (0.38 ± 0.3%, 0.49 ± 0.34%, vs 0.89 ± 0.41%, 0.95 ± 0.33%, respectively, p < 0.001). The number of ApopTag positive nucleus was significantly higher in the MNT group compared to the MT1, MTHi, MTLo groups (14.4 ± 8, 7.6 ± 4, 5.8 ± 7, 4.8 ± 5, respectively, p = 0.01 for trend).

Conclusion

Repeated low doses of Epo after MI improved LV function, but the role of Epo on remodeling is not clear. It did not reduce left ventricular indices, but reduces fibrosis and apoptosis. High Epo doses reduced LV function and aggravated remodeling.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the David Halperne Chair in Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, 39 Jabotinsky Street, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel

    Itsik Ben-Dor, Shmuel Fuchs, Ehud Kadmon, Alex Sagie, Mali Mansur, Alexander Battler & Moti Haim

  2. Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Tel Aviv University School of Medicine, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel

    Britta Hardy, Boaz Politi & Alexander Battler

  3. Department of Pathology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel

    Ella Kaganovsky & Elimelech Okon

  4. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Raymond Coleman

  5. Department of Medicine E, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel

    Abigail Fraser

  6. Clinical Biochemical Laboratories, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, 49100, Israel

    Daniela Harell

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  1. Itsik Ben-Dor
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Correspondence to Alexander Battler.

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Ben-Dor, I., Hardy, B., Fuchs, S. et al. Repeated Low-dose of Erythropoietin is Associated with Improved Left Ventricular Function in Rat Acute Myocardial Infarction Model. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 21, 339–346 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-007-6049-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-007-6049-8

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