Valerie S Chekanov1. 1. Heart Care Associates, Milwaukee Heart Institute, Aurora Sinai Medical Centers, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-0342, USA. ahcvch@execpc.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This investigation studied whether low frequency electrical impulses (EI) induce or prevent development of new atherosclerotic plaque in previously diseased vessels. MATERIAL/ METHODS: In all rabbits, an electrode was sutured to the left psoas major muscle close to the upper part of the abdominal aorta (AA), and a pacemaker was implanted on the opposite side of the AA just below diaphragm. Group 1 received a high cholesterol diet (HCD) to induce atherosclerosis but no EI (control). Euthanasia followed after 3 weeks (series I), 8 weeks (series II) and 11 weeks (series III) of HCD. In series IV animals received HCD alone for 3 weeks then EI was added to the HCD for another 8 weeks (weeks 4-11) at a rate of 30 impulses per minute (IPM) at 3V. Euthanasia followed after 11 weeks. Atherosclerotic thickness grades were assigned using a 0 (low) to 4 (high) grading system, and the surface area involved in disease was calculated. RESULTS: In control rabbits, after 11 weeks of HCD atherosclerotic thickness grade in lower abdominal aorta was 1.68 +/-0.25. In rabbits exposed to EI (30 IPM at 3V) this grade was 0.5+/-0.37 (p<0.05). The involved surface area was only 8.5+/-4.69% (series IV) vs. 32.5+/-4.0 % in control CONCLUSIONS: When applied near the AA, electrical impulses (30 IPM at 3V) decrease atherosclerotic deposits despite continuation of a high cholesterol diet.
BACKGROUND: This investigation studied whether low frequency electrical impulses (EI) induce or prevent development of new atherosclerotic plaque in previously diseased vessels. MATERIAL/ METHODS: In all rabbits, an electrode was sutured to the left psoas major muscle close to the upper part of the abdominal aorta (AA), and a pacemaker was implanted on the opposite side of the AA just below diaphragm. Group 1 received a high cholesterol diet (HCD) to induce atherosclerosis but no EI (control). Euthanasia followed after 3 weeks (series I), 8 weeks (series II) and 11 weeks (series III) of HCD. In series IV animals received HCD alone for 3 weeks then EI was added to the HCD for another 8 weeks (weeks 4-11) at a rate of 30 impulses per minute (IPM) at 3V. Euthanasia followed after 11 weeks. Atherosclerotic thickness grades were assigned using a 0 (low) to 4 (high) grading system, and the surface area involved in disease was calculated. RESULTS: In control rabbits, after 11 weeks of HCD atherosclerotic thickness grade in lower abdominal aorta was 1.68 +/-0.25. In rabbits exposed to EI (30 IPM at 3V) this grade was 0.5+/-0.37 (p<0.05). The involved surface area was only 8.5+/-4.69% (series IV) vs. 32.5+/-4.0 % in control CONCLUSIONS: When applied near the AA, electrical impulses (30 IPM at 3V) decrease atherosclerotic deposits despite continuation of a high cholesterol diet.