Combination of enoxaparin and fibroblast growth factor-1 increases myocardial blood flow and capillary density after myocardial infarction in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of enoxaparin and fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) on post-infarction capillary density and regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) was examined.


METHODS
New Zealand White rabbits received an intramyocardial injection of either physiological saline, FGF-1 + enoxaparin, FGF-1 or enoxaparin directly after ligation of the left anterior descending artery. RMBF and capillary density were investigated using fluorescent microspheres and histological examination.


RESULTS
One week after infarction a significant difference in the number of capillaries could be demonstrated within the FGF-1 + enoxaparin group (p < 0.001 versus the control group), the FGF-1 group (p < 0.01) and the enoxaparin group (p < 0.05). Treatment with FGF-1 + enoxaparin resulted in a significantly increased number of capillaries compared to treatment with FGF-1 (p < 0.05) and enoxaparin (p < 0.05) alone. Additionally, all groups treated with FGF-1 and/or enoxaparin showed a significant increase of microvessel density in the treated ischemic border zone compared to the non-treated ischemic border zone (p < 0.001 for FGF-1 + enoxaparin, p < 0.01 for FGF-1, p < 0.05 for enoxaparin). RMBF was significantly increased within the FGF-1 + enoxaparin group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, perfusion rates within the FGF-1 + enoxaparin-treated area did not significantly differ from the pre-infarction values.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with either enoxaparin or FGF-1 or FGF-1 + enoxaparin resulted in increased microvessel growth. However, only the combination of enoxaparin with FGF-1 promotes capillary growth and RMBF. Thus, we conclude that enoxaparin enhances the angiogenic potential of intramyocardially injected FGF-1 in the acutely infarcted rabbit heart.
Geist
Andrea
A
Department of Surgical Research, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Marx
Jana
J
Müller
Silke
S
Uzan
A
A
von Specht
B-U
BU
Haberstroh
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
D017984:Enoxaparin; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1