Use of high-resolution imaging methods for in vivo study of perfusion and myocardial inflammatory changes in an experimental model of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in hamster

• Grant number: 15/25209-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: July 01, 2016
• End date: February 28, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Marcus Vinicius Simões
• Grantee: Luciano Fonseca Lemos de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 16/16746-0 - Use of high-resolution imaging methods for in vivo study of perfusion and myocardial inflammatory changes in an experimental model of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in hamster, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Several pathophysiological aspects of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) still need elucidation, especially the mechanisms that determine the development of chronic myocardial injury only in late stage 2-3 decades after the acute phase. Besides the persistence of the parasite in the cardiac tissue and exacerbate inflammatory response by autoimmunity, experimental and clinical evidences support participation of microvascular ischemia contributing in the process of progression of cardiomyopathy. However, a longitudinal clinical study which allows the observation of these aspects, displays virtual deterrent in front of the long-term observation. In this setting, the use of experimental hamster model that reproduces the chronic phase of CCC after 6 months of infection would provide valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the correlation between myocardial perfusion changes and myocardial inflammation with the progression of myocardial dysfunction in the experimental model of CCC. Briefly, after infection of female hamsters with Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi will be conducted assessments of myocardial performace by echocardiogram-2D, evaluations of myocardial perfusion by use of mini-SPECT and the viability and myocardial inflammation with MicroPET. The assessments of the myocardial function and perfusion will be performed 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 months after infection. The viability and myocardial inflammation with 18F-FDG will be performed in time of window at 10 months after infection. At the end of the study, all animals suffer euthanasia and histological studies will be conducted to assessment of the inflammation and fibrosis to allow the correlation with the results of studies obtained in vivo. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LEMOS DE OLIVEIRA, LUCIANO FONSECA; THACKERAY, JAMES T.; MARIN NETO, JOSE ANTONIO; DIAS ROMANO, MINNA MOREIRA; VIEIRA DE CARVALHO, EDUARDO ELIAS; MEJIA, JORGE; TANAKA, DENISE MAYUMI; DA SILVA, GRACE KELLY; ABDALLA, DOUGLAS REIS; MALAMUT, CARLOS; et al. Regional Myocardial Perfusion Disturbance in Experimental Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy. JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE, v. 59, n. 9, p. 1430-1436, SEP 1 2018. (11/03261-4, 15/25209-5)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

OLIVEIRA, Luciano Fonseca Lemos de. Use of high-resolution imaging methods for in vivo study of perfusion and myocardial inflammatory changes in an experimental model of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in hamster. 2018. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.