Effect of Endothelial Growth Factor on Postinfarction Remodeling of Rat Myocardium

Abstract

The reparative processes in the myocardium were studied during the postinfarction period after intracardiac injection of vascular endothelial growth factor. The cytoprotective and mitogenic effects of increased concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor on cardiomyocytes were revealed: viable muscle cells were present in the myocardial necrotic zone over 3 days, while cardiomyocytes in the periinfarction zone exhibited mitotic activity of within 7 days after infarction modeling. One of the main morphogenetic effects of high concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor is stimulation of angiogenesis in all zones of the infarcted myocardium. On the other hand, injection of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor stimulated collagen formation processes in the infarction zone (a 44% increase of the volume of collagen fibers) and formation of cardiosclerosis foci in neoangiogenesis zones in the intact myocardium, which is an unfavorable side effect of high concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Morphological Evaluation of Oxidative Phosphorylation System in Myocardial Infarction under Conditions of Modified Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentration

“…These effects consisted in the presence of vital cardiomyocytes in the focus of myocardial necrosis during 3 days and by their mitotic activity in the peri-infarction zone during 7 days after MI induction. One of the main morphogenetic effects of high VEGF concentrations was more intense angiogenesis in all zones of infarcted myocardium [1,3].…”

“…The blood and myocardial levels of growth factors, essential for cell proliferation and differentiation, change signifi cantly during MI development and the postinfarction period [1,3]. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the signaling systems in ischemic involvement of tissues and organs [1,6].…”

“…Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the signaling systems in ischemic involvement of tissues and organs [1,6]. Increase of VEGF level during the postinfarction period is essential for neoangiogenesis intensity and for cardiomyocyte survival and increase of their proliferative activity [1,3].…”