Qiulun Lu1, Xiuxin Jiang2, Cheng Zhang1, Wei Zhang3, Wencheng Zhang4. 1. The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. 2. Department of General Surgery, Virtual Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. 3. Plastic Surgery Institute of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China. 4. The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. Electronic address: zhangwencheng@sdu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) affects more than 5% of the population in developed countries. To study the formation and progression of AAA, we developed a non-invasive method to analyse regional aortic stiffness to monitor the formation and progression of AAA. METHODS: Saline or Angiotensin II (AngII) was subcutaneously infused in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice for 28 days; a high-resolution imaging system was used to identify changes in arterial stiffness measured by pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and aortic lumen diameter in the suprarenal aorta. RESULTS: Both regional PWV and luminal diameter in the suprarenal aorta did not change significantly in saline-treated ApoE-/- mice for 28 days. In contrast, AngII treatment for 28 days rapidly increased both regional PWV and luminal diameter. The difference in luminal diameter could be identified at 14 days. However, regional PWV significantly increased within the first 7 days after AngII perfusion as compared with saline treatment. However, in ApoE-/- diabetic mice, both regional PWV and aortic diameter did not differ between AngII and saline treatment at 7 or 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: Regional PWV may be used to monitor AAA development and was improved after AngII infusion in ApoE-/- mice.
BACKGROUND:Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) affects more than 5% of the population in developed countries. To study the formation and progression of AAA, we developed a non-invasive method to analyse regional aortic stiffness to monitor the formation and progression of AAA. METHODS:Saline or Angiotensin II (AngII) was subcutaneously infused in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice for 28 days; a high-resolution imaging system was used to identify changes in arterial stiffness measured by pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and aortic lumen diameter in the suprarenal aorta. RESULTS: Both regional PWV and luminal diameter in the suprarenal aorta did not change significantly in saline-treated ApoE-/- mice for 28 days. In contrast, AngII treatment for 28 days rapidly increased both regional PWV and luminal diameter. The difference in luminal diameter could be identified at 14 days. However, regional PWV significantly increased within the first 7 days after AngII perfusion as compared with saline treatment. However, in ApoE-/- diabeticmice, both regional PWV and aortic diameter did not differ between AngII and saline treatment at 7 or 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: Regional PWV may be used to monitor AAA development and was improved after AngII infusion in ApoE-/- mice.