Noninvasively ventilated and easily operated mouse model of myocardial infarction.

Abstract

The laboratory mouse is an animal model commonly used in cardiovascular research; however, it has technical challenges as a model for myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, a novel noninvasively ventilated and easily operated experimental mouse model of MI was established in Kunming mice based on a left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery rupture. Overall, 95% of sham mice and 84% of mice with a ruptured LAD survived the surgery. The results of 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that obvious infarcts formed after LAD rupture. ST-segment elevation or depression emerging in the electrocardiogram of the novel MI model indicated a myocardial ischemic injury. Reduced cardiac contractility and increased cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB after LAD-rupture implied myocardial necrosis. Furthermore, the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly upregulated after LAD-rupture. Overall, the LAD-rupture method, utilizing noninvasive ventilation, was a reliable and easily-performed model of MI in mice.