Improved diastolic function after myoblast transplantation in a model of ischemia-infarction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of myoblast transplantation on left ventricular function, perfusion, and scar formation after compromised coronary flow.


METHODS
A coronary vessel with Ameroid-induced stenosis was ligated and skeletal muscle was biopsied for isolation and cultivation of myoblasts. Two weeks after ligation, animals were randomly selected to receive intramyocardial injections of 2 x 10(6) myoblasts or vehicle. Fifteen animals survived the whole study period (n=9 and n=6, respectively). All animals underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography pretreatment and four weeks posttreatment.


RESULTS
Peak filling rate of the left ventricle improved in the myoblast group (p=0.0048), but not in the control group. Peak ejection rate and duration of diastole improved only in the myoblast group (p=0.049 and p=0.0039, respectively). Ejection fraction or local thickening did not change. Fibrosis and perfusion were similar in both groups, but more microvessels were present histologically in the myoblast group.


CONCLUSIONS
In this preclinical study, autologous myoblast transplantation improved ischemic heart function via enhanced diastolic filling of the left ventricle.
Pätilä
Tommi
T
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Helsinki Meilahti Hospital, Finland. tommi.patila@hus.fi
Ikonen
Tuija
T
Kankuri
Esko
E
Uutela
Aki
A
Lommi
Jyri
J
Krogerus
Leena
L
Salmenperä
Pertteli
P
Bizik
Josef
J
Lauerma
Kirsi
K
Harjula
Ari
A
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005355:Fibrosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008833:Microcirculation; D032448:Myoblasts, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left