title: Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel induces neovascularization and improves cardiac function in a rat model of myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of stem cells in cardiac regeneration is still limited due to low cellular integration and engraftment rates. Consequently, there has been a spurt in research on developing alternative regenerative therapies. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major component of the extracellular matrix that is non-immunogenic, and has been implicated in various wound-healing functions such as angiogenesis and inflammation modulation, making it an ideal candidate for regenerative biomaterials. In this study, we examine the potential of acellular hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel in improving cardiac function post-myocardial infarction in a rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel was injected into the peri-infarct region post-myocardial infarction induction in Lewis rats. Cardiac function in control (n = 10) and gel-injected groups (n = 10) was evaluated up to 4 weeks post-myocardial infarction. Evaluation of cardiac function was conducted using transthoracic echocardiography. Histological analysis of scar area was evaluated via haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), and Sirius red staining. Neovascularization was detected using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evaluation of cardiac function using transthoracic echocardiography revealed a 18.2% (P < 0.01) increase in ejection fraction in gel-injected groups when compared with the control group, almost returning the ejection fraction to baseline levels (preop). Histological analysis of scar area by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and Sirius red staining demonstrated decreased scarring, and a 22.6% (P < 0.01) decrease in collagen deposition in the gel-injected group compared with the control group. VEGF staining indicated a significant increase in novel vasculature formation in hydrogel-injected groups when compared with control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to its regenerative potential, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel provides a promising novel therapy to be used alone, or as a scaffold delivering a variety of drugs or cells to combat heart disease in a multifaceted approach.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Cardiac and Experimental Surgery, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Sherif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdalla
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Makhoul
authors.forename: Minh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.forename: Ray C J
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cecere
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020100:Hydrogels; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012038:Regeneration; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: Biomaterials; Cardiac regeneration; Hyaluronic acid; Myocardial infarction; Neovascularization