Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) is well suited for determining global cardiac function longitudinally in genetically or surgically manipulated mice, but in practice it is seldom used to its full potential. In th...

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Main Authors: Clarke Kieran, Isbrandt Dirk, Hove Michiel, Bell Jordana T, Stork Lee-Anne, Schneider Jürgen E, Watkins Hugh, Lygate Craig A, Neubauer Stefan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2008-02-01
Series:Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Online Access:http://www.jcmr-online.com/content/10/1/9
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author Clarke Kieran
Isbrandt Dirk
Hove Michiel
Bell Jordana T
Stork Lee-Anne
Schneider Jürgen E
Watkins Hugh
Lygate Craig A
Neubauer Stefan
author_facet Clarke Kieran
Isbrandt Dirk
Hove Michiel
Bell Jordana T
Stork Lee-Anne
Schneider Jürgen E
Watkins Hugh
Lygate Craig A
Neubauer Stefan
author_sort Clarke Kieran
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) is well suited for determining global cardiac function longitudinally in genetically or surgically manipulated mice, but in practice it is seldom used to its full potential. In this study, male and female guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT) knockout, and wild type littermate mice were subjected to a longitudinal cine-MRI study at four time points over the course of one year. GAMT is an essential enzyme in creatine biosynthesis, such that GAMT deficient mice are entirely creatine-free. Since creatine plays an important role in the buffering and transfer of high-energy phosphate bonds in the heart, it was hypothesized that lack of creatine would be detrimental for resting cardiac performance during ageing.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Measurements of cardiac structure (left ventricular mass and volumes) and function (ejection fraction, stroke volume, cardiac output) were obtained using high-resolution cine-MRI at 9.4 T under isoflurane anaesthesia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no physiologically significant differences in cardiac function between wild type and GAMT knockout mice at any time point for male or female groups, or for both combined (for example ejection fraction: 6 weeks (KO vs. WT): 70 ± 6% vs. 65 ± 7%; 4 months: 70 ± 6% vs. 62 ± 8%; 8 months: 62 ± 11% vs. 62 ± 6%; 12 months: 61 ± 7% vs. 59 ± 11%, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest the presence of comprehensive adaptations in the knockout mice that can compensate for a lack of creatine. Furthermore, this study clearly demonstrates the power of cine-MRI for accurate non-invasive, serial cardiac measurements. Cardiac growth curves could easily be defined for each group, in the same set of animals for all time points, providing improved statistical power, and substantially reducing the number of mice required to conduct such a study. This technique should be eminently useful for following changes of cardiac structure and function during ageing.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-99357647273c460d9962aa3a62fa9f202024-04-16T23:36:12ZengElsevierJournal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance1097-66471532-429X2008-02-01101910.1186/1532-429X-10-9Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI studyClarke KieranIsbrandt DirkHove MichielBell Jordana TStork Lee-AnneSchneider Jürgen EWatkins HughLygate Craig ANeubauer Stefan<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) is well suited for determining global cardiac function longitudinally in genetically or surgically manipulated mice, but in practice it is seldom used to its full potential. In this study, male and female guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT) knockout, and wild type littermate mice were subjected to a longitudinal cine-MRI study at four time points over the course of one year. GAMT is an essential enzyme in creatine biosynthesis, such that GAMT deficient mice are entirely creatine-free. Since creatine plays an important role in the buffering and transfer of high-energy phosphate bonds in the heart, it was hypothesized that lack of creatine would be detrimental for resting cardiac performance during ageing.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Measurements of cardiac structure (left ventricular mass and volumes) and function (ejection fraction, stroke volume, cardiac output) were obtained using high-resolution cine-MRI at 9.4 T under isoflurane anaesthesia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no physiologically significant differences in cardiac function between wild type and GAMT knockout mice at any time point for male or female groups, or for both combined (for example ejection fraction: 6 weeks (KO vs. WT): 70 ± 6% vs. 65 ± 7%; 4 months: 70 ± 6% vs. 62 ± 8%; 8 months: 62 ± 11% vs. 62 ± 6%; 12 months: 61 ± 7% vs. 59 ± 11%, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest the presence of comprehensive adaptations in the knockout mice that can compensate for a lack of creatine. Furthermore, this study clearly demonstrates the power of cine-MRI for accurate non-invasive, serial cardiac measurements. Cardiac growth curves could easily be defined for each group, in the same set of animals for all time points, providing improved statistical power, and substantially reducing the number of mice required to conduct such a study. This technique should be eminently useful for following changes of cardiac structure and function during ageing.</p>http://www.jcmr-online.com/content/10/1/9
spellingShingle Clarke Kieran
Isbrandt Dirk
Hove Michiel
Bell Jordana T
Stork Lee-Anne
Schneider Jürgen E
Watkins Hugh
Lygate Craig A
Neubauer Stefan
Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI study
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
title Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI study
title_full Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI study
title_fullStr Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI study
title_full_unstemmed Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI study
title_short Cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT)-knockout mice – a one year longitudinal MRI study
title_sort cardiac structure and function during ageing in energetically compromised guanidinoacetate n methyltransferase gamt knockout mice a one year longitudinal mri study
url http://www.jcmr-online.com/content/10/1/9
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