ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in infarct area of rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 healthy male Wistar rats weighing 180 g-220 g were included in our study and were randomly divided into two groups of 6 rats each: sham operation group and experiment group. In sham operation group, surgery was performed by opening chest without ligation of arteria coronaria while, in the experiment group, surgery was performed to produce AMI model. Animals were sacrificed immediately after the operation on day 7 and day 14, respectively. The serum troponin, myocardial infarct area, microvessel density in infarct area, VEGF and HIF-1α expression were analyzed. RESULTS: Differences in the serum troponin level, myocardial infarct area, microvessel density in infarct area, VEGF and HIF-1 expression level at different time points in sham and experiment groups had statistical significance (p < 0.05). On day 7, the serum troponin, myocardial infarct area, microvessel density in infarct area, VEGF and HIF-1 expression level were the highest and the level was second highest on day 14 while the levels were lowest immediately after the operation. The expression levels of VEGF and HIF-1α were positively related with the increasing density of microvessel in infarct area (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of VEGF and HIF-1α might be involved with myocardial remodeling and angiogenesis.
