Murine ultrasound imaging for circumferential strain analyses in the angiotensin II abdominal aortic aneurysm model

作者：Favreau John T; Nguyen Binh T; Gao Ian; Yu Peng; Tao Ming; Schneiderman Jacob; Gaudette Glenn R; Ozaki C Keith^*

来源：Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2012, 56(2): 462-469.

DOI：10.1016/j.jvs.2012.01.056

Objective: The underlying causes of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) remain obscure, although research tools such as the angiotensin II (Ang II) apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mouse model have aided investigations. Longitudinal imaging and determination of biomechanical forces in this small-scale model have been difficult. We hypothesized that high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy combined with speckle-tracking analytical strategies can be used to define the role of circumferential mechanical strain in AAA formation in the Ang II/apoE(-/-) mouse model of AAAs. We simultaneously examined dietary perturbations that might impact the biomechanical properties of the aortic wall, hypothesizing that the generalized inflammatory phenotype associated with diet-induced obesity would be associated with accelerated loss of circumferential strain and aneurysmal aortic degeneration.
Methods: Receiving either a 60 kcal% fat Western diet or standard 10 kcal% fat normal chow, Ang II-treated apoE(-/-) mice (n = 34) underwent sequential aortic duplex ultrasound scan imaging (Vevo 2100 System; VisualSonics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) of their entire aorta. Circumferential strains were calculated using speckle-tracking algorithms and a custom MatLab analysis.
Results: Decreased strains in all aortic locations after just 3 days of Ang II treatment were observed, and this effect progressed during the 4-week observation period. Anatomic segments along the aorta impacted wall strain (baseline highest in ascending aorta; P < .05), whereas diet did not. At 2 and 4 weeks, there was the largest progressive decrease in strain in the paravisceral/supraceliac aorta (P < .05), which was the segment most likely to be involved in aneurysm formation in this model.
Conclusions: In the Ang II/apoE(-/-) aneurysm model, the aorta significantly stiffens (with decreased strain) shortly after Ang II infusion, and this progressively continues through the next 4 weeks. High-fat feeding did not have an impact on wall strain. Delineation of biomechanical factors and AAA morphology via duplex scan and speckle-tracking algorithms in mouse models should accelerate insights into human AAAs. (J Vasc Surg 2012;56:462-9.)

• 出版日期2012-8