A simplified, cost-effective ex vivo rat heart perfusion model successfully induced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, demonstrating a 4.7-fold reduction in coronary flow and significant infarct development.
Does a simplified ex vivo perfusion model induce key features of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in adult male Wistar rats?
A simplified, resource-conscious ex vivo rat heart perfusion model successfully reproduces fundamental features of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Absolute Event Rate: 2.2% vs 0%
p-value: p=≤0.001
Introduction Myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) continues to impede the advancement of effective cardioprotective therapies. Experimental limitations, particularly the lack of accessible and cost-effective ex vivo platforms, restrict mechanistic and translational research. This study aimed to develop a simplified, resource-conscious proof-of-concept ex vivo rat heart perfusion model capable of inducing key features of myocardial IRI, rather than establishing a fully validated replacement for conventional Langendorff systems. Methods Twelve adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a non-ischemic control group ( n = 6) or an IRI group ( n = 6). Following a 10 min stabilization period, hearts in the IRI group underwent 30 min of global ischemia using potassium-based Krebs–Henseleit buffer (KHB) cardioplegic solution, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Control hearts received continuous perfusion without ischemic insult. Coronary flow was assessed to evaluate functional changes. Myocardial injury was quantified using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and structural alterations were examined through histopathological analysis. Results The IRI group demonstrated an approximately 4.7-fold reduction in coronary flow during early reperfusion, reflecting acute vascular dysfunction. TTC staining revealed significant infarct development compared to controls. Histopathological examination confirmed cardiomyocyte degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolization, inflammatory cell infiltration, and interstitial edema. Functional impairment strongly correlated with structural myocardial injury, demonstrating consistent induction of myocardial injury within the experimental setting. Discussion This simplified ex vivo model reproduces fundamental features of myocardial IRI within a resource-conscious framework. However, it should be interpreted as a proof-of-concept platform rather than a replacement for conventional Langendorff systems.
P et al. (Wed,) conducted a other in Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (n=12). Global ischemia and reperfusion vs. Non-ischemic control (continuous perfusion) was evaluated on Non-viable (infarct) myocardial tissue score via TTC staining (p=≤0.001). A simplified, cost-effective ex vivo rat heart perfusion model successfully induced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, demonstrating a 4.7-fold reduction in coronary flow and significant infarct development.