Publication
Title
Longitudinal micro-ultrasound assessment of the ob/ob mouse model: evaluation of cardiovascular, renal and hepatic parameters
Author
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and is associated with increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Leptin-deficient mice (ob/ob) are widely employed to investigate obesity. Aim of this study was to provide a micro-ultrasound (mu US) longitudinal evaluation of the ob/ob mouse model in terms of cardiovascular effects, consequences for renal microcirculation and liver fat accumulation. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Sixteen wild-type (wt) and eleven ob/ob male mice were studied at 8 (T-0) and 25 (T-1) weeks of age with a mu US system (Vevo2100) and B-mode and Doppler images were acquired. Cardiac output (CO), ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), fractional shortening (FS) and E/A ratio were measured from cardiac images. Mean diameter (Dm(abd), Dm(car)), relative distension (relD(abd) and relD(car)) and pulse wave velocity (PWVabd and PWVcar) were obtained for both abdominal aorta and common carotid. As regards renal microcirculation, renal resistivity and pulsatility index (RI and PI) were assessed. The ratio between grey levels related to liver and kidney (Steato-Score) was used as index of hepatic steatosis. RESULTS: At T-0, ob/ob mice showed reduced SV, EF, CO and relD(abd) values and increased LVmass, PWVabd, RI, PI and Steato-score measurements. The same comparison repeated at T-1 highlighted similar results for SV, EF, CO, RI, PI and Steato-Score; furthermore, obese mice showed reduced Dm(abd) and Dm(car) measurements in comparison with lean controls. The longitudinal analysis showed an increase in LVmass and Dm(abd) and a reduction of FS, EF, CO, relD(abd) and relD(car) for wt animals, while no differences were found for the ob/ob group. CONCLUSIONS: ob/ob mice presented a premature cardiac dysfunction without a further age-related deterioration and a reduction in the abdominal aorta and carotid artery mean diameter in adult age. The proposed analysis can represent a valid approach for longitudinal studies aimed at testing new therapeutic strategies or for characterizing other mouse models.
Language
English
Source (journal)
International journal of obesity. - London, 1977, currens
Publication
London : 2018
ISSN
0307-0565 [print]
1476-5497 [online]
DOI
10.1038/IJO.2017.219
Volume/pages
42 :3 (2018) , p. 518-524
ISI
000428844600031
Pubmed ID
28883542
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.05.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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